bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
International research collaborations: A comparative study on the lived‐experience of academics in Iran and Türkiye
Authors: Kondakci Yasar , Nazarzadeh Zare Mohsen , Ghoraishi Khorasgani Maryam Sadat , Kızılhan Pinar 
Published: August 2024

AbstractDecades of research form an extensive body of knowledge on International Collaboration in Research (IRC). However, experiential perspectives of the operative core (the academics) in research collaboration, remained relatively uninvestigated. Besides, explorations on how academics in peripheral countries accomplish IRC are still very limited. Finally, the representation of social sciences is also limited compared to natural sciences and engineering. The current study aims to explore the factors facilitating and inhibiting IRC from the lived experiences of academics in Iran and Türkiye comparatively. The study was designed as a dual phenomenology, one study in each country. In each of the countries, 20 academics in social sciences participated in the study. The results suggest that similar generic forces motivate the researchers for IRC in Türkiye and Iran at the individual level, parallel to international literature. However, macro‐level factors surrounding higher education ecologies including national‐level support schemes, geopolitical dynamics, and the country's foreign policy play an important role in determining the IRC cluster to connect with and the mode of collaboration in these two peripheral countries. The role of macro‐level political factors in IRC patterns suggests that although individual researchers intend to attach to the core cluster (USA, UK, Germany, France) of IRC at the global level, macro‐level factors push researchers in the periphery for more periphery‐periphery collaboration, which may strengthen the growing regionalization in IRC.
Mechanical, thermophysical, and ablation properties of C/HfC–SiC composites with various SiC/HfC ratios
Authors: Yan Chunlei , Liu Fangming , Wang Wei , Liu Rongjun 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe mechanical, thermophysical, and ablation properties of 2.5D C/HfC–SiC composites with various SiC/HfC ratios are studied. The S7‐C/HfC–SiC composite with a high SiC/HfC volume ratio of 30.4/15.2 has the highest flexural strength of 203.4 ± 26.8 MPa and fracture toughness of 10.0 ± .5 MPa·m1/2. All C/HfC–SiC composites have a similar low thermal conductivity of ∼2 W·m−1·K−1 and their CTEs are in the range of .45–4.0 × 10−6/K from 30°C to 1400°C. S5‐C/HfC–SiC with medium SiC/HfC ratio possesses the lowest mass ablation rate of .29 ± .02 mg·cm−2·s−1 and linear ablation rate of .003 ± .0002 mm/s. The C/HfC–SiC composites are endowed with a pitting corrosion feature according to the morphology and composition evolution of the ablated surface, which results from both high temperature and stagnation pressure gradients in the radial direction of the oxyacetylene torch.
Differences in interaction strategy use between L1 and L2 group discussions of primary school students
Authors: Zhu Xinhua , Zhao Pengfei , Sun Yiwen , Huang Shuming , Cheong Choo Mui , Liao Xian 
Published: August 2024

AbstractStudents’ development of multilingual competence has attracted increasing attention from language researchers and educators. However, research on students’ interaction strategy use in group discussions across different language settings remains scarce. In this study, therefore, we examined interaction strategy use in Cantonese as a first language (L1) and Putonghua as a second language (L2) during group discussion tasks among 42 primary school students in Hong Kong. We also investigated the effects of interaction strategy use on performance in respective tasks. We discovered that students employed significantly more interaction strategies in L1 than in L2, with a higher contribution to L1 task performance. Specifically, three of the five strategies identified—Strategy 2 (S2) asking for opinions, S3 expressing attitude, and S5 non‐verbal language—were employed more frequently in L1 than in L2. Furthermore, we found that strategy use had various effects on oral performance between the two languages. In the L1 task, S1 expressing actively, S3 expressing attitude, and S4 giving clarification significantly predicted students’ group discussion performance, whereas this effect was only observed in S1 expressing actively in the L2 task. Pedagogical implications for primary students’ learning of interaction strategies for group discussions in both L1 and L2 are discussed.
Balancing transparency with enhanced mechanical properties in MgO‐Al2O3‐SiO2 glass‐ceramics
Authors: Rodrigues Lorena R. , Santos Gisele G. , Acosta María Helena R. , Koike Akio , Akiba Shusaku , Sawamura Shigeki , Nagano Mikio , Yoshida Satoshi , Serbena Francisco C. , Zanotto Edgar D. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractTransparent glass‐ceramics (GCs) are promising for applications that require both optical clarity and superior mechanical strength, such as high‐performance displays and ballistic armor. However, achieving this combination typically involves a trade‐off, as crystallization processes that enhance mechanical properties often compromise transparency. This study investigates the optimization of mechanical properties in transparent and translucent MgO‐Al2O3‐SiO2 (MAS) GCs. We examine the heat treatment conditions necessary for achieving various levels of transparency and evaluate the influence of crystal size and volume fraction on Vickers hardness, indentation crack resistance, and fracture toughness (KIc). Our findings indicate that, depending on the composition and heat treatment conditions, even nanocrystals smaller than 100 nm can diminish transparency, rendering the GCs translucent. Translucent and opaque samples exhibit superior mechanical performance due to higher crystallized fractions and larger crystals. However, specific thermal protocols were identified to produce transparent GCs (visible light transmittance > 80% for 1.5 mm thick samples) with at least a 30% increase in KIc compared to their parent glasses. This study demonstrates the feasibility of balancing transparency and mechanical strength in MAS GCs through careful optimization of processing parameters.
Representation of obesity in contemporary atrial fibrillation ablation randomized controlled trials
Authors: Dircks Danielle , Khaing Eh , Aroudaky Ahmad , Almerstani Muaaz , Alziadin Nmair , Kanneganti Radha P. , Aguto James , Mimms Jmaylia , Jiang Chen , Mont Lluis , Grieco Domenico , Blomstrom‐Lundqvist Carina , Davtyan Karapet V. , Prabhu Sandeep , Kistler Peter , Aryana Arash , Andrade Jason G. , Macle Laurent , Schleifer William , Payne Jason , Easley Arthur , Khan Faris , Windle John , Tsai Shane , Anderson Daniel , Haynatzki Gleb , Peeraphatdit Thoetchai , Naksuk Niyada 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe prevalence and impact of obesity on outcomes of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have not been well studied.ObjectiveTo examine the proportion of participants with obesity enrolled in RCTs of AF ablation and outcomes of ablation when subgroup analysis of participants with obesity were available.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed and EMBASE for AF ablation RCTs published between January 1, 2015 to May 31, 2022. When body mass index (BMI) data were available, normal distribution was assumed and a z score was used to estimate the proportion of obesity. Results categorized by BMI or body weight status were reviewed. Authors were contacted for additional information.ResultsOf 148 eligible RCTs with 30174 participants, 144 (97.30%) RCTs did not report the proportion of participants with obesity, while published information regarding BMI was available in 63.51%. Three trials excluded patients based on BMI. Using reported BMI, we estimated the proportion of participants with obesity varied greatly across these trials, ranging from 5.82%–71.9% (median 38.02%, interquartile 29.64%, 49.10%). Patients with obesity were represented in a greater proportion among trials conducted in North America (50.23%) and Asia (44.72%), compared to others (32.16%), p < .001. Subgroup analysis or analysis adjusting for BMI was reported in only 13 (8.78%) RCTs; four (30.77%) of these suggested that BMI or body weight might negatively affect primary outcomes.ConclusionObesity is a common comorbidity among AF patients. However, most AF ablation RCTs underreported the proportion of participants with obesity and its impact on the primary outcomes.
Convergent ablation for persistent atrial fibrillation: A UK multicentre perspective
Authors: Mannakkara Nilanka N. , Khan Ibrar , Ghazanfar Auns , Wijesuriya Nadeev , Mehta Vishal S. , De Vere Felicity , Howell Sandra , Adhya Shaumik , Porter Bradley , Child Nicholas , Razavi Reza , Rinaldi Christopher A. , Bosco Paolo , Blauth Christopher , Gill Jaswinder S. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAtrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia worldwide and remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, a significant proportion of patients have persistent AF, for which conventional catheter ablation is less effective. However, convergent ablation has emerged in recent years as a hybrid treatment targeting both the epicardium and endocardium in a multidisciplinary joint cardiothoracic and electrophysiology procedure, with promising efficacy outcomes in recent studies. This treatment is increasingly being performed in the United Kingdom. This review article discusses the rationale and evidence behind convergent ablation, along with factors that need to be considered when setting up a successful ablation service.
Distance‐dependent neuromodulation effect during thermal ablation for atrial fibrillation
Authors: Nakasone Kazutaka , Tanaka Kaoru , Del Monte Alvise , Della Rocca Domenico Giovanni , Pannone Luigi , Mouram Sahar , Cespón‐Fernández María , Doundoulakis Ioannis , Marcon Lorenzo , Audiat Charles , Vetta Giampaolo , Scacciavillani Roberto , Overeinder Ingrid , Bala Gezim , Sorgente Antonio , Sieira Juan , Almorad Alexandre , Fukuzawa Koji , Hirata Ken‐ichi , Brugada Pedro , Sarkozy Andrea , Chierchia Gian Battista , de Asmundis Carlo , Ströker Erwin 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIntroductionThermal atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation exerts an additive treatment effect on the cardiac autonomic nervous system (CANS). This effect is mainly reported during ablation of the right superior pulmonary vein (RSPV), modulating the right anterior ganglionated plexus (RAGP), which contains parasympathetic innervation to the sinoatrial node in the epicardial fat pad between RSPV and superior vena cava (SVC). However, a variable response to neuromodulation after ablation is observed, with little to no effect in some patients. Our objective was to assess clinical and anatomic predictors of thermal ablation‐induced CANS changes, as assessed via variations in heart rate (HR) postablation.MethodsConsecutive paroxysmal AF patients undergoing first‐time PV isolation by the cryoballoon (CB) or radiofrequency balloon (RFB) within a 12‐month time frame and with preprocedural cardiac computed tomography (CT), were evaluated. Preablation and 24‐h postablation electrocardiograms in sinus rhythm were collected and analyzed to assess HR. Anatomic evaluation by CT included the measurement of the shortest distance between the SVC and RSPV ostium (RSPV‐SVC distance).ResultsA total of 97 patients (CB, n = 50 vs. RFB, n = 47) were included, with similar baseline characteristics between both groups. A significant HR increase postablation (ΔHR ≥ 15 bpm) occurred in a total of 37 patients (38.1%), without difference in number of patients between both thermal ablation technologies (CB, 19 [51%]), RFB, 18 [49%]). Independent predictors for increased HR were RSPV‐SVC distance (odds ratio [OR]: 0.49, CI: 0.34–0.71, p value < .001), and age (OR: 0.94, CI: 0.89–0.98, p value = .003).ConclusionsThermal balloon‐based PV isolation influences the CANS through its effect on the RAGP, especially in younger patients and patients with shorter RSPV‐SVC distance.
All the king's men (and women): Fluoro‐less leadless pacemaker implant in a severely obese patient
Authors: Howard Ato , Blackwell Jacob N. , Ayub Muhammad Talha , Ezeldeen Abuelkasem , Whyte Alice , Estes N. A. Mark , Shalaby Alaa A. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIntroductionSevere obesity presents significant challenges in imaging and delivery of therapy, including pacemaker implant.Methods and ResultWe present our experience implanting a leadless pacemaker (LP) in a severely obese man presenting with heart block. We describe our multidisciplinary approach using right internal jugular venous access and transesophageal imaging in lieu of fluoroscopy which failed to provide workable images in this instance.ConclusionUltrasound guided LP placement may have wider application in the midst of an ongoing obesity epidemic where fluoroscopy imaging is both limited and unsafe.
GHG comparison of frozen milk concentrate and milk powder
Authors: Robertson Lindsay J. , Morel J. P. , Archer R. H. , McLaren S. J. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIncreased awareness by industry of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is forcing companies to examine electrical technologies as alternatives to fossil fuel‐driven thermal ones. Spray drying of milk is recognized as a high‐energy process and is of particular importance to New Zealand. It requires inlet air temperatures higher than most existing electrically‐driven heat‐pumps can reliably achieve. Already some companies internationally are considering freezing and shipping milk concentrates rather than drying which begs the question as to whether the GHG emissions of frozen concentrate outweigh the GHG avoided by not drying. This research note assesses the relative GHG emissions and indicates a GHG advantage for frozen concentrate shipping.Practical applicationsIncreased awareness of the significance of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is forcing companies to examine alternatives to fossil fuel‐driven thermal technologies. Spray drying of milk is recognized as a high‐energy process and is of particular importance to New Zealand. It requires inlet air temperatures higher than most existing electrically‐driven heat‐pumps can achieve and so commonly requires fossil‐fuel use. Already some companies internationally are considering freezing and shipping milk concentrates rather than shipping dried milk. This research note assesses the relative GHG emissions of conventional (fossil‐fuelled) processes, and a novel process involving frozen concentrate. The evaluation shows that significant greenhouse gas reduction is possible by shipping frozen concentrate.
Prognostic impact of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy on elderly patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma: A propensity score matching study
Authors: Huang Heng , Chen Xijiong , Xu Jinyi , Tu Maopu , Lai Bin , Ouyang Xi 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackground and AimCurrently, the primary treatment modality for patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRA) is radical surgery combined with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (PAC). However, many elderly patients decline PAC due to concerns about their underlying physiological condition, and the impact of PAC on the prognosis of elderly patients remains uncertain.MethodsWe extracted data from the SEER database for CRA patients aged 75 and above between 2010 and 2019. Utilizing propensity score matching (PSM), we stratified the patients into a PAC group and a non‐PAC group, enabling us to compare the differences in Kaplan–Meier survival curves between these two groups. Furthermore, through univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, we identified the clinical factors that influence the survival of elderly CRA patients and compared the prognostic disparities between the two patient groups within specific subgroups of these clinical factors.ResultsFollowing PSM, a total of 3668 patients were included and divided into the PAC group and the non‐PAC group, with no statistically significant differences observed in crucial clinical characteristics between the two groups. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed a significantly better prognosis for patients in the PAC group compared with those in the non‐PAC group. In addition, age, chemotherapy, TNM staging, gender, and preoperative CEA levels were all identified as important factors affecting patient prognosis. Moreover, PAC provided survival benefits across the majority of levels within the aforementioned subgroups. However, in specific subgroups (age > 90, Grade IV stage, median household income < $40 000), PAC did not confer any survival benefits.ConclusionPAC can significantly improve the prognosis of elderly CRA patients. Nonetheless, in certain population subsets characterized by specific clinical features, PAC does not provide any survival benefits.
The relationship between smoking and rosacea: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Cai YuJia , Zeng HaiFeng , Tao MaoCan 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundRosacea can be seen in many patients nowadays, and the related causes are complex. Despite a certain association between smoking and rosacea being reported by several studies, the actual causality has not been established for the possible bias and confounders.MethodsWe used Mendelian randomization (MR) to evaluate a potential causal effect of smoking on rosacea risk. Statistics on smoking and rosacea were obtained from the FinnGen project and Neale Lab Consortium. The causal association was assessed by multiple methods including inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode. Furthermore, sensitivity analyses were also conducted to address pleiotropy, along with the leave‐one‐out method.R version 4.2.3 was applied for the analyses.ResultsThe IVW estimation revealed that previous smoking has a deleterious effect on rosacea (odds ratio [OR] = 6.7729, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.5691–29.2356, p = 0.0104). By contrast, there was no statistically relationship between current smokers and rosacea (OR = 0.6180, 95% CI = 0.0605–6.3094, p = 0.6847). Results were similar in the analysis based on the weighted median method (previous smoking: OR = 8.6297, 95% CI = 1.0131–73.5071, p = 0.0486; current smoking: OR = 0.2896, 95% CI = 0.0106–7.9132, p = 0.4627). The stability of the causal effect estimates was supported by several sensitivity analyses and the leave‐one‐out method.ConclusionOur MR study found support forrosacea risk and previous smoking. Although no evidence was found to increase the risk of rosacea in current smokers, to prevent various diseases associated with smoking, the public should be encouraged to avoid smoking at the very beginning.
Temporomandibular joint disc responses to installation and removal of the experimental malocclusion
Authors: Zhang Yuejiao , Xu Lingfeng , Xu Xiaojie , Xu Jiali , Liu Qian , Zhao Yali , Wang Meiqing 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBackgroundAberrant occlusion and aging are two main risks for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) degeneration.ObjectiveTo assess the combined impact of occlusion and age on TMJ disc.MethodsTo avoid the confounding impact of gender, presently, 126 female C57BL/6J mice, 63 youngsters, 6‐week old and 63 adults, 28‐week old, were used. An experimental bilateral anterior crossbite (BAC) relation was created by installing metal tubes onto the mandibular incisors. Mice were sacrificed at 3, 7 and 11 weeks (n = 9). Additionally, the installed tubes were removed at 7 weeks in removal groups and the TMJs were sampled after another 4 weeks (n = 9). Disc changes were detected by histomorphology, immunohistochemistry, and western blot assays.ResultsDisc deformation was obvious in BAC groups. The typical change was hyperplasia at the posterior region of the disc where there was significant infiltration of inflammatory cells. Expressions of the inflammatory markers, including tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐1β, and the catabolic markers, including fibronectin (FN), FN N‐terminal fragments, and vascular endothelial growth factor‐A, were all increased. The changes were more obvious in adults than in youngsters. Removal of BAC attenuated inflammatory and catabolic changes in the youngsters, but the inflammatory markers recovered little in the adults.ConclusionTMJ disc responds to BAC by degeneration and inflammation, and respond to BAC removal by rehabilitation. Adult discs show severer degeneration responses to BAC and a lower level of anti‐inflammatory capability to BAC removal than the youngster's discs. Animals cannot be equated with humans. The human disc response to occlusion changes worth further exploration.
Partial replacement of soybean with alternative protein sources: Effects on meat quality, sensory attributes, and fatty acids and amino acids content of breast meat of a local chicken strain
Authors: Yalçin Servet , Özkan Sezen , Acar Muazzez Cömert 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe environmental sustainability of soybean cultivation has been questioned as it has been linked to deforestation, eutrophication, pesticide use, and carbon dioxide footprint. Agri‐industrial byproducts and black soldier fly (BSF) larvae meal are promising alternative protein sources that can be used to partly replace soybean in broiler diets. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of partial replacement of soybeans with agro‐industrial by‐products with or without the addition of BSF dried larvae meal on the meat quality, fatty acid and amino acid content, and sensory traits of breast meat of local chickens. A total of 252 one‐day‐old mixed‐sex chicks from the Anadolu‐T pure dam line were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 diets; a soybean‐based Control diet, a diet in which soybean meal was partly replaced (SPR) with brewers' dried grain, sunflower seed meal, and wheat middlings and an SPR + BSF diet in which 5% of BSF dried larva meal was added to the SPR diet. All birds were slaughtered at a commercial slaughterhouse at 55 days and breast and drumstick muscles were sampled for meat quality analysis from 18 chickens/dietary treatments. No significant effects of diets were observed for the pH24 and lightness, redness, and yellowness of breast and leg meats. Thawing loss significantly decreased and cooking loss increased in the breast meat of chickens fed the SPR + BSF compared with those fed Control and SPR diets. Diets did not affect either texture profile or consumer sensory properties of breast meat. The chickens fed the SPR + BSF had the highest total saturated fatty acid and lower polyunsaturated fatty acid content in breast meat than those fed the Control and SPR diets. The essential and nonessential amino acid content of breast meat decreased by the SPR diet compared with the SPR + BSF diet. The chickens fed SPR + BSF diet had higher values of tasty, aromatic, and umami‐related amino acids than those fed SPR and Control diets. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicated that agri‐industrial byproducts with or without BSF larvae meal could be used to partially replace soybean meal in broiler diets without affecting technological meat quality traits. The addition of BSF larvae meal to the diet along with agri‐industrial by‐products improved the amino acid content of the breast meat of chickens but reduced polyunsaturated fatty acid levels.