bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Object‐place‐context learning impairment correlates with spatial learning impairment in agedLong–Evansrats
Authors: Chen Yuxi , Branch Audrey , Shuai Cecelia , Gallagher Michela , Knierim James J. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe hippocampal formation is vulnerable to the process of normal aging. In humans, the extent of this age‐related deterioration varies among individuals. Long–Evans rats replicate these individual differences as they age, and therefore they serve as a valuable model system to study aging in the absence of neurodegenerative diseases. In the Morris water maze, aged memory‐unimpaired (AU) rats navigate to remembered goal locations as effectively as young rats and demonstrate minimal alterations in physiological markers of synaptic plasticity, whereas aged memory‐impaired (AI) rats show impairments in both spatial navigation skills and cellular and molecular markers of plasticity. The present study investigates whether another cognitive domain is affected similarly to navigation in aged Long–Evans rats. We tested the ability of young, AU, and AI animals to recognize novel object‐place‐context (OPC) configurations and found that performance on the novel OPC recognition paradigm was significantly correlated with performance on the Morris water maze. In the first OPC test, young and AU rats, but not AI rats, successfully recognized and preferentially explored objects in novel OPC configurations. In a second test with new OPC configurations, all age groups showed similar OPC associative recognition memory. The results demonstrated similarities in the behavioral expression of associative, episodic‐like memory between young and AU rats and revealed age‐related, individual differences in functional decline in both navigation and episodic‐like memory abilities.
Screening seven‐electron boron‐centered radicals for dinitrogen activation
Authors: Zeng Jie , You Feiying , Zhu Jun 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe activation of dinitrogen is significant as nitrogen‐containing compounds play an important role in industries. However, the inert NN triple bond caused by its large HOMO‐LUMO gap (10.8 eV) and high bond dissociation energy (945 kJ mol−1) renders its activation under mild conditions particularly challenging. Recent progress shows that a few main group species can mimic transition metal complexes to activate dinitrogen. Here, we demonstrate that a series of seven‐electron (7e) boron‐centered radical can be used to activate N2 via density functional theory calculations. It is found that boron‐centered radicals containing amine ligand perform best on the thermodynamics of dinitrogen activation. In addition, when electron‐donating groups are introduced at the boron atom, these radicals can be used to activate N2 with low reaction barriers. Further analysis suggests that the electron transfer from the boron atom to the π* orbitals of dinitrogen is essential for its activation. Our findings suggest great potential of 7e boron radicals in the field of dinitrogen activation.
Annelids as models of germ cell and gonad regeneration
Authors: Özpolat B. Duygu 
Published: December 2023

AbstractGerm cells (reproductive cells and their progenitors) give rise to the next generation in sexually reproducing organisms. The loss or removal of germ cells often leads to sterility in established research organisms such as the fruit fly, nematodes, frog, and mouse. The failure to regenerate germ cells in these organisms reinforced the dogma of germline–soma barrier in which germ cells are set‐aside during embryogenesis and cannot be replaced by somatic cells. However, in stark contrast, many animals including segmented worms (annelids), hydrozoans, planaria, sea stars, sea urchins, and tunicates can regenerate germ cells. Here I review germ cell and gonad regeneration in annelids, a rich history of research that dates back to the early 20th century in this highly regenerative group. Examples include annelids from across the annelid phylogeny, across developmental stages, and reproductive strategies. Adult annelids regenerate germ cells as a part of regeneration, grafting, and asexual reproduction. Annelids can also recover germ cells after ablation of germ cell progenitors in the embryos. I present a framework to investigate cellular sources of germ cell regeneration in annelids, and discuss the literature that supports different possibilities within this framework, where germ–soma separation may or may not be preserved. With contemporary genetic‐lineage tracing and bioinformatics tools, and several genetically enabled annelid models, we are at the brink of answering the big questions that puzzled many for over more than a century.
A potential broad‐spectrum neutralizing antibody against Betacoronavirus
Authors: Wang Rong , Guo Jiazheng , Lu Jiansheng , Du Peng , Zhang Jun , Yu YunZhou , Chen Lei , Xiong Zhiqi , Xiang Yuning , Ni Xiaodan , Xu Junjie , Yang Zhixin 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThree pandemics caused by human Betacoronavirus had broken out in the past two decades. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) was one of the novel epidemic strains which caused the third pandemic, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), a global public health crisis. So far, more than millions of people have been infected. Considering the public health and economic impact of Betacoronavirus pandemic, drugs with broad‐spectrum activity against these coronaviruses are urgently needed. In this study, two monoclonal antibodies targeting SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein receptor‐binding domain (RBD) with good neutralizing activity were used to construct a novel immunoglobulin‐like bispecific antibody BI31. The neutralizing effect of BI31 against the pseudovirus and the authentic virus is better than that of its parent antibodies alone and in combination. What surprised us most was that the newly constructed bispecific antibody also had the neutralizing activity against SARS‐CoV and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) that the parent antibodies did not have. These suggested that the BI31 can not only be developed as a therapeutic drug against COVID‐19 but it could also become a broad‐spectrum therapeutic antibody against Betacoronavirus.
metamedian: An R package for meta‐analyzing studies reporting medians
Authors: McGrath Sean , Zhao XiaoFei , Ozturk Omer , Katzenschlager Stephan , Steele Russell , Benedetti Andrea 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWhen performing an aggregate data meta‐analysis of a continuous outcome, researchers often come across primary studies that report the sample median of the outcome. However, standard meta‐analytic methods typically cannot be directly applied in this setting. In recent years, there has been substantial development in statistical methods to incorporate primary studies reporting sample medians in meta‐analysis, yet there are currently no comprehensive software tools implementing these methods. In this paper, we present themetamedianR package, a freely available and open‐source software tool for meta‐analyzing primary studies that report sample medians. We summarize the main features of the software and illustrate its application through real data examples involving risk factors for a severe course of COVID‐19.
Co‐encapsulation of curcumin and anthocyanins in bovine serum album–fucoidan nanocomplex with a two‐step pH‐driven method
Authors: Chen Xiao , Qin Hao , Zhai Jia‐Ming , Wang Jun‐Hu , Zhang Yu‐He , Chen Yang , Wu Yan‐Chao , Li Hui‐Jing 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDCurcumin (CUR) and anthocyanins (ACN) are recommended due to their bioactivities. However, their nutritional values and health benefits are limited by their low oral bioavailability. The incorporation of bioactive substances into polysaccharide–protein composite nanoparticles is an effective way to enhance their bioavailability. Accordingly, this study explored the fabrication of bovine serum albumin (BSA)–fucoidan (FUC) hybrid nanoparticles using a two‐step pH‐driven method for the delivery of CUR and ACN.RESULTSUnder a 1:1 weight ratio of BSA to FUC, the point of zero charge moved from pH ⁓ 4.7 for BSA to around 2.5 for FUC‐coated BSA, and the formation of BSA–FUC nanocomplex was pH‐dependent by showing the maximum CUR emission wavelength shifting from 546 nm (CUR‐loaded BSA–FUC at pH 4.7) and 544 nm (CUR/ACN‐loaded BSA–FUC nanoparticles at pH 4.7) to 540 nm (CUR‐loaded BSA–FUC at pH 6.0) and 539 nm (CUR/ACN‐loaded BSA–FUC nanoparticles at pH 6.0). Elevated concentrations of NaCl from 0 to 2.5 mol L−1 caused particle size increase from about 250 to about 800 nm, but showing no effect on the encapsulation efficiency of CUR. The CUR and ACN entrapped, respectively, in the inner and outer regions of the BSA–FUC nanocomplex were released at different rates. After incubation for 10 h, more than 80% of ACN was released, while less than 25% of CUR diffused into the receiving medium, which fitted well to Logistic and Weibull models.CONCLUSIONIn summary, the BSA–FUC nanocomposites produced by a two‐step pH‐driven method could be used for the co‐delivery of hydrophilic and hydrophobic nutraceuticals. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Risk factors for local recurrence of upper extremity desmoid tumors
Authors: Denwood Hayley , Gonzalez Marcos R. , Sodhi Alisha , Werenski Joseph , Clunk Marilee , Newman Erik T. , Lozano‐Calderón Santiago A. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIntroductionUpper extremity (UE) desmoid tumors are locally aggressive neoplasms with high recurrence rates. Our study sought to analyze the demographics and treatment strategies of UE desmoid tumors and identify risk factors for recurrence.Materials and MethodsA retrospective review of 52 patients with histologically confirmed UE desmoid tumors treated at our institution between 1990 and 2015 was conducted. Survival was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model was used for risk factor analysis.ResultsFor the entire cohort, median age was 40 (29–47) years, 75% were female, and 48% had local recurrence. The median tumor size was 45 (15–111) cm3 on imaging. Twenty‐two patients had a previous resection. The most common treatments were surgery alone (50%) and surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy (21%). Tumor size ≥5 cm and tumor volume ≥40 cm3 on imaging were associated with increased recurrence (p = 0.006 and p = 0.005, respectively). Age and sex were not associated with local recurrence. Patients with a tumor size ≥5 cm were 2.6 times more likely to present with recurrence. At the 10‐year mark, a lower local recurrence‐free survival was seen in patients with tumors ≥5 cm (72.2% vs. 36.3%, p = 0.042) or ≥40 cm3 (67.2% vs. 32.7%, p = 0.034).ConclusionIn our study, only tumor dimensions appeared to modify recurrence risk.
The Destination Marketing Organization as an intelligent agent: Evaluating engagement in knowledge management practices
Authors: Novotny Michelle , Dodds Rachel , Walsh Philip R. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractDMOs have been increasingly called upon to adopt the role of knowledge management, becoming intelligent agents with the capacity to gather, assess, and disseminate information among internal and external stakeholders. While knowledge management has remained a prominent topic in the literature, its application within the field of tourism management has been limited. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to ascertain to what extent DMOs have engaged in knowledge management practices through a nation‐wide survey of 30 Canadian DMOs. The results demonstrate that, while DMOs have made progress toward becoming intelligent agents, there remains a long way to go.
Spectral effects and enhancement quantification in healthy human saliva with surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy using silver nanopillar substrates
Authors: Zamani Esmat , Ksantini Nassim , Sheehy Guillaume , Ember Katherine J. I. , Baloukas Bill , Zabeida Oleg , Trang Tran , Mahfoud Myriam , Sapieha Jolanta‐Ewa , Martinu Ludvik , Leblond Frédéric 
Published: December 2023

AbstractObjectivesRaman spectroscopy as a diagnostic tool for biofluid applications is limited by low inelastic scattering contributions compared to the fluorescence background from biomolecules. Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) can increase Raman scattering signals, thereby offering the potential to reduce imaging times. We aimed to evaluate the enhancement related to the plasmonic effect and quantify the improvements in terms of spectral quality associated with SERS measurements in human saliva.MethodsDried human saliva was characterized using spontaneous Raman spectroscopy and SERS. A fabrication protocol was implemented leading to the production of silver (Ag) nanopillar substrates by glancing angle deposition. Two different imaging systems were used to interrogate saliva from 161 healthy donors: a custom single‐point macroscopic system and a Raman micro‐spectroscopy instrument. Quantitative metrics were established to compare spontaneous RS and SERS measurements: the Raman spectroscopy quality factor (QF), the photonic count rate (PR), the signal‐to‐background ratio (SBR).ResultsSERS measurements acquired with an excitation energy four times smaller than with spontaneous RS resulted in improved QF, PR values an order of magnitude larger and a SBR twice as large. The SERS enhancement reached 100×, depending on which Raman bands were considered.ConclusionsSingle‐point measurement of dried saliva with silver nanopillars substrates led to reproducible SERS measurements, paving the way to real‐time tools of diagnosis in human biofluids.
Outcomes of women diagnosed with primary bladder neck obstruction based on video urodynamic criteria
Authors: Drain Alice , Volkin Dmitry , Rosenblum Nirit , Brucker Benjamin M. , Nitti Victor W. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractObjectiveFunctional and anatomic bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in women are more prevalent than previously suspected and remain a diagnostic challenge. Several urodynamic diagnostic criteria for female BOO have been proposed, but studies validating the criteria by assessing treatment outcomes are lacking. We sought to correlate video urodynamic (VUD) diagnostic criteria with symptom improvement in women with functional bladder outlet obstruction.MethodsA retrospective cohort study of women diagnosed with primary bladder neck obstruction (PBNO) by VUD criteria who underwent bladder neck incision (BNI) between 2010 and 2022 was performed. Patient demographic, clinical, and urodynamic characteristics were collected before and after treatment and analyzed.ResultsTwenty‐six women with mean age 64.7 years underwent BNI. Nineteen patients (73.1%) were cured, four (15.4%) improved, and three (11.5%) failed. After BNI the mean postoperative Qmax was significantly higher (9.4 vs. 3 mL/s, p = 0.006) and mean postvoid residual (PVR) was significantly lower (102 vs. 514 mL, p ≤ 0.001). Patients who did not require a catheter preoperatively were more likely to be cured than those who did (90% vs. 62.5%, p = 0.03). The PdetQmax of patients that were cured or improved did not differ significantly from those who were not (50.7 cm H2O vs. 32 cm H2O, p = 0.21).ConclusionsThe diagnosis of PBNO by VUD criteria for obstruction correlated with treatment outcomes with success in 88.5% and 56% becoming catheter independent. Successful treatment was independent of preoperative PdetQmax.
Response to tibial and sacral nerve modulation in overactive bladder: Is there any correlation?
Authors: Fourel Mathieu , Hafez Samy , Ramdane Nassima , Perrouin‐Verbe Marie‐Aimée , De Wachter Stefan , Vermersch Patrick , Biardeau Xavier 
Published: December 2023

AbstractObjectivesTo assess the correlation between the response to transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) and subsequent response to sacral nerve modulation (SNM) to treat overactive bladder (OAB).Materials and MethodsAll patients who consecutively received TTNS followed by a two‐stage SNM between January 2016 and June 2022 to treat OAB in two university hospital centers were included. The response to each therapy was evaluated with success defined by a 50% or greater improvement in one or more bothersome urinary symptoms from baseline. The primary endpoint was the statistical relationship between the response to TTNS and the response to SNM, assessed by logistic regression. Secondary endpoints were the statistical relationship between the response to TTNS and the response to SNM when controlling for gender, age (<57 years vs. >57 years), presence of an underlying neurological disease, and presence of DO, adding the factor and interaction to the previous regression model.ResultsAmong the 92 patients enrolled in the study, 68 of them were women (73.9%), and the median age was 57.0 [41.0–69.0] years. The success was reported in 22 patients (23.9%) under TTNS and 66 patients (71.7%) during the SNM test phase. There was no statistical correlation between response to TTNS and response to SNM in the overall population (confidence interval: 95% [0.48–4.47], p = 0.51). Similarly, there was no statistical correlation when controlling for age <57 years or ≥57 years, with p = 1.0 and p = 0.69, respectively. No statistical study could be conducted for the other subpopulations due to small sample sizes.ConclusionThe response to TTNS does not predict the response to SNM in the treatment of OAB. TTNS and SNM should be considered as separate therapies, and the decision‐making process for OAB treatment should take this into account.
The design and evaluation of a quick checklist for urodynamic quality control: A prospective single‐center small sample study
Authors: Zeng Xiao , Liu Meng‐zhu , Shen Si‐hong , Yang Shi‐qin , Zhang Jie , Shen Hong , Luo De‐yi , Jin Tao 
Published: December 2023

AbstractPurposeTo design a quick checklist for urodynamic study (UDS), aiming to reduce the occurrence of errors in the process, which may help to increase the quality of UDS. And further to analyze the effectiveness of this quick checklist for UDS quality control.MethodsFirst, a quick checklist for uroflow study and pressure‐flow study was developed, based on the International Continence Society‐Good Urodynamic Practice standards, our previous studies, and recent literature, as well as expert suggestions. Then, patients who underwent UDS between January 2023 to February 2023 were randomly assigned to a study group or a control group. For the study group, the quick checklist was used throughout the UDS process, while the control group did not. The main artefacts were chosen to verify the effectiveness of the quick checklist for improving the UDS quality.ResultsThe quick checklist comprised three subtypes: checklist for patients, checklist for environment and device, and checklist for UDS test process. 38 UDS traces per group were included. The incidence of missing the standard cough test decreased significantly from 18.4% to 0 (p = 0.012), with the checklist implementation. The baseline drift frequency rate also declined significantly from 39.5% to 5.3% (p < 0.05). Volume < 150 mL on uroflow study occurred in 68.4% of cases and its frequency rate decreased significantly with checklist implementation (p < 0.05).ConclusionA quick checklist for quality control of UDS was developed. The quick checklist as a convenient, quick, and easy used urodynamic quality control method, may help to reduce the technical artefacts and improve fundamental urodynamic quality control. Future research with a larger sample size is needed to confirm the effectiveness of the checklist.
Quantum Secret Reconstruction
Authors: Ma Rui‐Hai , Gao Fei , Cai Bin‐Bin , Lin Song 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIn addition to secret splitting, secret reconstruction is another important component of secret sharing. In this paper, the first quantum secret reconstruction protocol is proposed to protect the reconstruction process. Before the protocol, a classical secret is divided into multiple shares that are distributed to the shareholds, respectively. In the presented protocol, the dealer utilizes the secret to encrypt a privacy quantum state, and sends the encrypted state to a combiner who is chosen by the dealer within the shareholders. With the help of other shareholders, the combiner utilizes the properties of cluster states to recover the privacy quantum state. It is shown that the proposed protocol is secure against several common attacks, including external and internal attacks. Compared with classical secret reconstruction protocols, this protocol not only achieves information‐theoretic security of all shares, but is also more efficient due to the reduced distribution and computation cost. To demonstrate the feasibility of the protocol, a corresponding simulation quantum experiment is conducted on the IBM Q. Furthermore, in conjunction with quantum fingerprinting, it can be directly applied to achieve the task of quantum multiple secrets sharing, since the classical shares can be reused in the proposed protocol.
Incorporation of Bimetallic Sulfide with Carbon Nitride for Advanced Na‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Lee Jang Mee , Bahadur Rohan , Mir Showkat Hassan , Bargoria Ian Chirchir , Perumalsamy Vibin , Ruban Ajanya Maria , Yu Xiaojiang , Breese Mark B. H. , Yi Jiabao , Chakraborty Sudip , Vinu Ajayan 
Published: December 2023

AbstractSodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) have received tremendous attention owing to their low cost, high working voltages, and energy density. However, the design and development of highly efficient SIBs represent a great challenge. Here, a unique and reliable approach is reported to prepare carbon nitride (CN) hybridized with nickel iron sulfide (NFCN) using simple reaction between Ni–Fe layered double hydroxide and dithiooxamide. The characterization results demonstrate that the hybridization with optimal amount of CN induces local distortion in the crystal structure of the hybrid, which would benefit SIB performance. Systematic electrochemical studies with a half‐cell configuration show that the present hybrid structure exhibits a promising reversible specific capacity of 348 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 after 100 cycles with good rate capability. Simulation result reveals that the iron atoms in nickel iron sulfide act as a primary active site to accommodate Na+ ions. At last, with a full cell configuration using NFCN and Na3V2(PO4)2O2F as the anode and cathode, respectively, the specific capacity appears to be ≈95 mAh g−1 after 50 cycles at 0.1 A g−1 condition. This excellent performance of these hybrids can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the incorporated CN species and the high conductivity of nickel–iron sulfide.