bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Okura Kazuki , Nonoyama Tadayoshi , Shibuya Manaka , Yamamoto Shuhei , Kawachi Shohei , Nishie Kenichi , Nakayama Katsutoshi 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackground and PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and acceptability of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to investigate the effectiveness and accessibility of NMES and compared them with usual care in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD by searching databases such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials published up to April 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving patients with COPD who were treated within 3 weeks of acute exacerbation onset were included. The risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2 tools. We pooled limb muscle strength and adverse events and performed a comparison between NMES and usual care. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach.ResultsFive RCTs, including 168 patients, met the eligibility criteria. The meta‐analysis showed that limb muscle strength was significantly higher in the NMES group (four studies with 148 patients; standardized mean difference, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.60–1.30; p < 0.001). The quality of evidence was very low due to the risk of bias within the studies, imprecision of the estimates, and small number of studies. Any adverse events served as outcomes in three studies (86 patients), although no adverse events occurred.ConclusionNMES is safe for patients with acute exacerbation of COPD and may maintain and improve limb muscle strength; however, the quality of evidence was very low.
Bioactivities of scent gland chemicals from Mictis fuscipes Hsiao (Hemiptera: Coreidae) on Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Zhong Jiamei , Fox Eduardo G. P. , Ling Siquan , Yan Zheng , Xu Jinzhu , Yang Hua , Hong Ziqiong , Qin Changsheng , Qiu Hualong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDGiven the chemical diversity within stink bugs scent glands, they can be convenient models for bioprospecting novel pest control products. Preliminary behaviour observations indicated that adult Mictis fuscipes stink bugs secrete liquid droplets when defending against Solenopsis invicta fire ants, killing them within minutes. Hence, this study aimed to analyse the chemical composition of the metathoracic scent gland secretions of M. fuscipes adults, as well as assess their biological activities against fire ants.RESULTSBioassaying fire ants against secretions of several local stink bugs confirmed that the defensive secretions of two Mictis species are significantly more lethal, where M. fuscipes was the most lethal. Volatiles chromatography analysis indicated the secretions of female and male M. fuscipes stink bugs contains 20 and 26 components, respectively, chiefly hexanoic acid and hexyl hexanoate. Five compounds were consistently present in the secretion of female adults: hexyl hexanoate, hexanoic acid, hexyl acetate, hexyl butyrate, and eugenol. These yielded a strong electrophysiological antennal (EAD) response from S. invicta workers, female alates and males, where hexyl acetate showed the strongest response. The combination of these five compounds proved strongly repellent to S. invicta. When tested singly, hexanoic acid, hexyl butyrate, hexyl hexanoate, and eugenol were repellent to S. invicta, but hexyl acetate seemed slightly attractive. Additionally, the same mixture of five components exhibited strong contact and fumigant toxicity towards S. invicta workers, eugenol being the strongest.CONCLUSIONDefensive chemicals of M. fuscipes exhibit robust biological activity against S. invicta and could inspire the development of biopesticides. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
The effects of pomegranate consumption on blood pressure in adults: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Bahari Hossein , Omidian Kosar , Goudarzi Kian , Rafiei Hossein , Asbaghi Omid , Hosseini Kolbadi Kosar Sadat , Naderian Moslem , Hosseini Ali 
Published: February 2024

AbstractConsidering the main component of cardiovascular disease and due to the high prevalence of hypertension, controlling blood pressure is required in individuals with various health conditions. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) which studied the effects of pomegranate consumption on blood pressure have shown inconsistent findings. As a result, we intended to assess the effects of pomegranate consumption on systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure in adults. Systematic literature searches up to January 2024 were carried out using electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, to identify eligible RCTs assessing the effects of pomegranate on blood pressure as an outcome. All the individuals who took part in our research were adults who consumed pomegranate in different forms as part of the study intervention. Heterogeneity tests of the selected trials were performed using the I2 statistic. Random effects models were assessed based on the heterogeneity tests, and pooled data were determined as the weighted mean difference (WMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Of 2315 records, 22 eligible RCTs were included in the current study. Our meta‐analysis of the pooled findings showed that pomegranate consumption significantly reduced SBP (WMD: −7.87 mmHg; 95% CI: −10.34 to −5.39; p < 0.001) and DBP (WMD: −3.23 mmHg; 95% CI: −5.37 to −1.09; p = 0.003). Individuals with baseline SBP > 130 mmHg had a significantly greater reduction in SBP compared to individuals with baseline SBP < 130 mmHg. Also, there was a high level of heterogeneity among studies (SBP: I2 = 90.0% and DBP: I2 = 91.8%). Overall, the results demonstrated that pomegranate consumption lowered SBP and DBP in adults. Although our results suggest that pomegranate juice may be effective in reducing blood pressure in the pooled data, further high‐quality studies are needed to demonstrate the clinical efficacy of pomegranate consumption.
The moist halo region around shallow cumulus clouds in large eddy simulations
Authors: Gu Jian‐Feng , Plant Robert Stephen , Holloway Christopher E. , Clark Peter A. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractIn this study, the moist buffering halo region of shallow maritime cumulus clouds is systematically investigated using large eddy simulations with various grid resolutions and numerical choices. Autocorrelation analyses of cloud liquid water and relative humidity suggest a converged size of 200–300 m for moist patches outside clouds when the model resolution is below 50 m, but may overestimate this size due to noncloudy moist regions. Based on a composite analysis, the structure of the moist halo immediately outside individual clouds is examined. It is found that, regardless of model resolution, the distribution of relative humidity in the halo region does not depend on cloud size, but on the real distance away from the cloud boundary, indicating some size‐independent length scales are responsible for the halo formation. The relative humidity decays with distance more quickly with finer horizontal resolution, which is possibly related to the model resolution dependence of the cloud spectrum. The halo size near the cloud base is larger than that within the cloud layer and this feature is robust across all simulations. Further analyses of backward and forward Lagrangian trajectories originating from the moist halo region reveal the possible role for subcloud coherent structures in cloud‐base halo formation. Possible mechanisms explaining cloud halo sizes and associated length scales are discussed.
Multi‐objective Bayesian modeling and optimization of 3D printing process via experimental data‐driven method
Authors: Ding Chunfeng , Wang Jianjun , Ma Yan , Tu Yiliu (Pual) , Ma Yizhong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe instability of product quality and low printing efficiency are the main obstacles to the widespread application of 3D printing in the manufacturing industry. Optimizing printing parameters can substantially improve product quality and printing efficiency. However, existing methods for optimizing process parameters primarily rely on computationally expensive numerical simulations or costly physical experiments, which cannot balance model accuracy and experiment cost. To the best of our knowledge, almost no relevant papers have been found to address the issues of product quality and printing efficiency in 3D printing from experimental data‐driven perspective. In this paper, we propose a method that integrates multiobjective Bayesian optimization (MOBO) with experimental data‐driven, aiming at obtaining more accurate optimization results at a lower cost. Distinguishing from previous studies, the proposed method utilizes experimental data instead of predicted values to update the model and find the optimal process parameters based on expected hypervolume improvement. The results of the 3D printing case study show that the proposed method can better model and optimize the highly fluctuating 3D printing process and obtain the optimal process parameters at a much lower cost. In addition, confirmatory experiments verify that the proposed method achieves higher printing efficiency while maintaining product quality.
Laser‐Synthesized Co‐Doped CuO Electrocatalyst: Unveiling Boosted Methanol Oxidation Kinetics for Enhanced Hydrogen Production Efficiency by In Situ/Operando Raman and Theoretical Analyses
Authors: Jung Sieon , Senthil Raja Arumugam , Min Ahreum , Kumar Anuj , Moon Cheol Joo , Choi Myong Yong 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe present study details the strategic development of Co‐doped CuO nanostructures via sophisticated and expedited pulsed laser ablation in liquids (PLAL) technique. Subsequently, these structures are employed as potent electrocatalysts for the anodic methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), offering an alternative to the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Electrochemical assessments indicate that the Co–CuO catalyst exhibits exceptional MOR activity, requiring a reduced potential of 1.42 V at 10 mA cm–2 compared to that of pure CuO catalyst (1.57 V at 10 mA cm–2). Impressively, the Co–CuO catalyst achieved a nearly 180 mV potential reduction in MOR compared to its OER performance (1.60 V at 10 mA cm−2). Furthermore, when pairing Co–CuO(+)ǀǀPt/C(−) in methanol electrolysis, the cell voltage required is only 1.51 V at 10 mA cm−2, maintaining remarkable stability over 12 h. This represents a substantial voltage reduction of ≈160 mV relative to conventional water electrolysis (1.67 V at 10 mA cm−2). Additionally, both in situ/operando Raman spectroscopy studies and theoretical calculations have confirmed that Co‐doping plays a crucial role in enhancing the activity of the Co–CuO catalyst. This research introduces a novel synthetic approach for fabricating high‐efficiency electrocatalysts for large‐scale hydrogen production while co‐synthesizing value‐added formic acid.
Clinical decision rules for appendicitis are not used by surgeons in training: A survey
Authors: Bahta Nadir Noureldin Abdella , Gram‐Hanssen Anders , Jonsson Isabella , Petersen Stine Mette , Rosenberg Jacob , Fonnes Siv 
Published: February 2024

AbstractBackgroundsWe aimed to investigate surgeons in training knowledge of clinical decision rules (CDR) for diagnosing appendicitis and their attitudes toward implementing them.MethodsWe included surgeons in training practicing in East Denmark who independently could decide to perform a diagnostic laparoscopy for suspected appendicitis. The survey was developed in Research Electronic Data Capture and face‐validated before use. It consisted of three parts: (1) the characteristics of the surgeons, (2) their diagnostic approach, and (3) their knowledge and attitude toward introducing CDR in the clinic. Data were collected in January 2023.ResultsWe achieved 83 (90%) responses, and 52% of surgeons in training believed that appendicitis was difficult to diagnose. Their diagnostic approach mostly included symptoms and physical examinations for abdominal pain, and C‐reactive protein. A total of 48% knew of at least one clinical decision rule, and 72% had never used a clinical decision rule. Regarding the necessity of CDR in clinical practice, surgeons in training options were divided into thirds: not needed, neither needed nor not needed, and needed. Surgeons in training indicated that CDR needed to be validated and easily applied before they would implement them.ConclusionApproximately 3/4 of surgeons in training had never utilized a clinical decision rule to diagnose appendicitis, and only half knew of their existence. The symptoms and findings incorporated in most CDR aligned with their diagnostic approach. They were conflicted if CDR needed to be implemented in clinical practice.
M5-branes and D4-branes wrapped on a direct product of spindle and Riemann surface
Authors: Suh Minwoo 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
We construct multi-charged AdS3× ⅀ ×$$ {\Sigma}_{\mathfrak{g}} $$

Σ
g

and AdS2× ⅀ ×$$ {\Sigma}_{\mathfrak{g}} $$

Σ
g

solutions from M5-branes and D4-branes wrapped on a direct product of spindle, ⅀, and Riemann surface, $$ {\Sigma}_{\mathfrak{g}} $$

Σ
g

. Employing uplift formula, we obtain these solutions by uplifting the multi-charged AdS3× ⅀ and AdS2× ⅀ solutions to seven and six dimensions, respectively. We further uplift the solutions to eleven-dimensional and massive type IIA supergravity and calculate the holographic central charge and the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy, respectively. We perform the gravitational block calculations and, for the AdS3× ⅀ ×$$ {\Sigma}_{\mathfrak{g}} $$

Σ
g

solutions, the result precisely matches the holographic central charge from the supergravity solutions.
A heavy QCD axion and the mirror world
Authors: Dunsky David I. , Hall Lawrence J. , Harigaya Keisuke 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
We study the mirror world with dark matter arising from the thermal freeze-out of the lightest, stable mirror particle — the mirror electron. The dark matter abundance is achieved for mirror electrons of mass 225 GeV, fixing the mirror electroweak scale near 108 GeV. This highly predictive scenario is realized by an axion that acts as a portal between the two sectors through its coupling to the QCD and mirror QCD sectors. The axion is more massive than the standard QCD axion due to additional contributions from mirror strong dynamics. Still, the strong CP problem is solved by this ‘heavy’ axion due to the alignment of the QCD and mirror QCD potentials. Mirror entropy is transferred into the Standard Model sector via the axion portal, which alleviates overproduction of dark radiation from mirror glueball decays. This mirror scenario has a variety of signals: (1) primordial gravitational waves from the first-order mirror QCD phase transition occurring at a temperature near 35 GeV, (2) effects on large-scale structure from dark matter self-interactions from mirror QED, (3) dark radiation affecting the cosmic microwave background, and (4) the rare kaon decay, K+ → (π+ + axion). The first two signals do not depend on any fundamental free parameters of the theory while the latter two depend on a single free parameter, the axion decay constant.
Geography, landownership inequality, and literacy: historical evidence from Greek regions
Authors: Benos Nikos , Karagiannis Stelios , Tsitou Sofia 
Published: February 2024

AbstractOur work sheds light on the joint role of human capital and geography during the early stages of the transition from stagnation to growth in early twentieth century Greece. We uncover a robust association between geography and literacy. We also show that geography is correlated with land inequality and thus establish that land distribution is a channel through which geography influences literacy. Finally, the impact of geography on human capital formation weakens with industrialization. Our work contributes to the literature on geography and human capital in the transition from stagnation to growth since Greece was at the early stages of the industrial era during the study period.
Olive oil nanoemulsion containing curcumin: antimicrobial agent against multidrug-resistant bacteria
Authors: Confessor Maine Virgínia Alves , Agreles Maria Anndressa Alves , Campos Luís André de Almeida , Silva Neto Azael Francisco , Borges Joyce Cordeiro , Martins Rodrigo Molina , Scavuzzi Alexsandra Maria Lima , Lopes Ana Catarina Souza , Kretzschmar Elisangela Afonso de Moura , Cavalcanti Isabella Macário Ferro 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The present work aimed to develop, characterize, and evaluate the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of two nanoemulsions (NEs) containing 500 µg/mL of curcumin from Curcuma longa (CUR). These NEs, produced with heating, contain olive oil (5%) and the surfactants tween 80 (5%) and span 80 (2.5%), water q.s. 100 mL, and were stable for 120 days. NE-2-CUR presented Ø of 165.40 ± 2.56 nm, PDI of 0.254, ζ of − 33.20 ± 1.35 mV, pH of 6.49, and Entrapment Drug Efficiency (EE) of 99%. The NE-4-CUR showed a Ø of 105.70 ± 4.13 nm, PDI of 0.459, ζ of − 32.10 ± 1.45 mV, pH of 6.40 and EE of 99.29%. Structural characterization was performed using DRX and FTIR, thermal characterization using DSC and TG, and morphological characterization using SEM, suggesting that there is no significant change in the CUR present in the NEs and that they remain stable. The MIC was performed by the broth microdilution method for nine gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, as well as Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates resistant to antibiotics and biofilm and efflux pump producers. The NEs mostly showed a bacteriostatic profile. The MIC varied between 125 and 250 µg/mL. The most sensitive bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis, for which NE-2-CUR showed a MIC of 125 µg/mL. The NEs and ceftazidime (CAZ) interaction was also evaluated against the K. pneumoniae resistant clinical isolates using the Checkerboard method. NE-2-CUR and NE-4-CUR showed a synergistic or additive profile; there was a reduction in CAZ MICs between 256 times (K26-A2) and 2 times (K29-A2). Furthermore, the NEs inhibited these isolates biofilms formation. The NEs showed a MBIC ranging from 15.625 to 250 µg/mL. Thus, the NEs showed physicochemical characteristics suitable for future clinical trials, enhancing the CAZ antibacterial and antibiofilm activity, thus becoming a promising strategy for the treatment of bacterial infections caused by multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae.

Key points
• The NEs showed physicochemical characteristics suitable for future clinical trials.
• The NEs showed a synergistic/additive profile, when associated with ceftazidime.
• The NEs inhibited biofilm formation of clinical isolates.
Investigating the Contraction Pattern of the Zygomaticus Major Muscle and its Clinical Relevance: A Functional MRI Study
Authors: Rams Daniel J. , Alfertshofer Michael , Batko Jakub , Gotkin Robert H. , Perdikis Galen , Szczepanek Elżbieta , Urbanik Andrzej , Koziej Mateusz , Ostrogórska Monika , Cotofana Sebastian 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Our understanding of facial anatomy has significantly evolved, yet the detailed contraction patterns of facial muscles and their presentation during clinical imaging remain largely unexplored. Understanding the contraction patterns and visual presentation of these muscles, particularly the zygomaticus major could enhance pre-surgical facial assessments and the development of new treatment strategies.

Methods
A total of 34 healthy young individuals (17 female, 17 male) with a mean age of 23.6 (2.4) years [range: 20–30] were investigated regarding the length, thickness, width, and angle of the zygomaticus major muscle in five different facial expressions (i.e., repose, anger, joy, surprise, and sadness) utilizing MR imaging.

Results
Joyful expressions caused a reduction in muscle length to 85.6% of its original length and an increase in width (103.4%), thickness (108.4%), and facial angle (2.72°) when compared to that in repose, suggesting isotonic contraction. Conversely, expressions of anger, surprise, and sadness generally led to muscle stretching, seen through changes in length (98.9%, 104.3%, and 102.7%, respectively), width (98.8%, 96.5%, and 99.4%, respectively), and thickness (91.2%, 91.0%, and 102.7%, respectively), with variable alterations in facial angle (0.55°, 1.85°, and 1.00°, respectively) depending on the specific expression.

Conclusion
This MRI-based study indicates that the zygomaticus major muscle experiences isotonic contraction, characterized by decreased length and increased width and thickness. The findings underline the importance of muscle thickness as a reliable parameter in assessing facial muscle function and offer valuable guidance for practitioners in accurately evaluating muscle performance during different facial expressions.

No Level Assigned
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A perspective on neuroethology: what the past teaches us about the future of neuroethology
Authors: Beetz M. Jerome 
Published: February 2024

AbstractFor 100 years, the Journal of Comparative Physiology-A has significantly supported research in the field of neuroethology. The celebration of the journal’s centennial is a great time point to appreciate the recent progress in neuroethology and to discuss possible avenues of the field. Animal behavior is the main source of inspiration for neuroethologists. This is illustrated by the huge diversity of investigated behaviors and species. To explain behavior at a mechanistic level, neuroethologists combine neuroscientific approaches with sophisticated behavioral analysis. The rapid technological progress in neuroscience makes neuroethology a highly dynamic and exciting field of research. To summarize the recent scientific progress in neuroethology, I went through all abstracts of the last six International Congresses for Neuroethology (ICNs 2010–2022) and categorized them based on the sensory modalities, experimental model species, and research topics. This highlights the diversity of neuroethology and gives us a perspective on the field’s scientific future. At the end, I highlight three research topics that may, among others, influence the future of neuroethology. I hope that sharing my roots may inspire other scientists to follow neuroethological approaches.