bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pre‐stroke and early post‐stroke apathy is associated with increased risk of dementia 3 months after stroke
Authors: Lopatkiewicz Anna Maria , Slowik Agnieszka , Dziedzic Tomasz 
Published: December 2023

AbstractObjectivesApathy is a frequent neuropsychiatric syndrome after stroke. We determined whether pre‐morbid and early post‐stroke apathy predicts dementia 3 months after stroke.MethodsWe included ischemic stroke patients without dementia who participated in the Prospective Observational Polish Study on post‐stroke delirium. We used the Neuropsychiatric Inventory and clinician‐reported version of Apathy Evaluation Scale to score apathy symptoms before stroke and on day 8 after stroke. Patients underwent neuropsychological examination 3 months after stroke.ResultsOf 422 patients with ischemic stroke and without pre‐stroke dementia, 194 patients (mean age: 67.5 ± 12.3; 45.9% female) underwent neuropsychological examination. Dementia was diagnosed in 21.6% of them. Patients with dementia had higher apathy scores before stroke (mean: 0.9 ± 1.7 vs. 0.2 ± 0.9, p < 0.01) and on day 8 (mean: 37.2 ± 9.3 vs. 29.0 ± 9.6, p < 0.01). Depressive symptoms did not differ between groups. In multivariate analysis adjusted for age, diabetes mellitus, stroke severity and in‐hospital delirium, apathy symptoms before stroke and on day 8 after stroke predicted post‐stroke dementia (adjusted OR: 1.59, 95%CI: 1.13–2.26, p = 0.01 and OR: 1.06, 95%CI: 1.01–1.11, p = 0.03, respectively).ConclusionsPre‐stroke and early post‐stroke apathy independently from age, stroke severity and delirium predicted dementia 3 months after stroke. Apathy might be useful in identifying at‐risk patients.
Baseline GABA+ levels in areas associated with sensorimotor control predict initial and long‐term motor learning progress
Authors: Li Hong , Chalavi Sima , Rasooli Amirhossein , Rodríguez‐Nieto Geraldine , Seer Caroline , Mikkelsen Mark , Edden Richard A. E. , Sunaert Stefan , Peeters Ron , Mantini Dante , Swinnen Stephan P. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractSynaptic plasticity relies on the balance between excitation and inhibition in the brain. As the primary inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters, gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (Glu), play critical roles in synaptic plasticity and learning. However, the role of these neurometabolites in motor learning is still unclear. Furthermore, it remains to be investigated which neurometabolite levels from the regions composing the sensorimotor network predict future learning outcome. Here, we studied the role of baseline neurometabolite levels in four task‐related brain areas during different stages of motor skill learning under two different feedback (FB) conditions. Fifty‐one healthy participants were trained on a bimanual motor task over 5 days while receiving either concurrent augmented visual FB (CA‐VFB group, N = 25) or terminal intrinsic visual FB (TA‐VFB group, N = 26) of their performance. Additionally, MRS‐measured baseline GABA+ (GABA + macromolecules) and Glx (Glu + glutamine) levels were measured in the primary motor cortex (M1), primary somatosensory cortex (S1), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), and medial temporal cortex (MT/V5). Behaviorally, our results revealed that the CA‐VFB group outperformed the TA‐VFB group during task performance in the presence of augmented VFB, while the TA‐VFB group outperformed the CA‐VFB group in the absence of augmented FB. Moreover, baseline M1 GABA+ levels positively predicted and DLPFC GABA+ levels negatively predicted both initial and long‐term motor learning progress in the TA‐VFB group. In contrast, baseline S1 GABA+ levels positively predicted initial and long‐term motor learning progress in the CA‐VFB group. Glx levels did not predict learning progress. Together, these findings suggest that baseline GABA+ levels predict motor learning capability, yet depending on the FB training conditions afforded to the participants.
Age penalties and take‐up of private health insurance
Authors: Kettlewell Nathan , Zhang Yuting 
Published: December 2023

AbstractFinancial penalties for delayed enrollment could be useful tools to encourage people to enroll earlier in health insurance markets, but little is known about how effective they are. We use a large administrative dataset for a 10% random sample of all Australian tax‐filers to study how people respond to a step‐wise age‐based penalty, and whether the effect has changed over time. Individuals must pay a 2% premium surcharge for each year they delay enrollment beyond age 31. The penalty stops after 10 years of continuous hospital cover. The age‐based penalty creates discontinuities in the incentive to insure by age, which we exploit to estimate causal effects. We find that people respond as expected to the initial age‐penalty, but not to subsequent penalties. The 2% premium loading results in a 0.78–3.69 percentage points (or 2.1%–9.0%) increase in the take‐up rate at age 31. We simulate the penalty impact and implications of potential reforms, and conclude that modest changes around the policy make little difference in the age distribution of insured, premiums or take‐up rates. Our study provides important evidence on an understudied area in the literature and offers insights for countries considering financial penalties.
Gender attitudes and gender discrimination among ethnically and geographically diverse young children
Authors: Halim May Ling D. , Glazier Jessica J. , Martinez M. Anais , Stanaland Adam , Gaither Sarah E. , Dunham Yarrow , Pauker Kristin , Olson Kristina R. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractDespite increasing advocacy for gender equality, gender prejudice and discrimination persist. The origins of these biases develop in early childhood, but it is less clear whether (1) children's gender attitudes predict discrimination and (2) gender attitudes and discrimination vary by ethnicity and US region. We examine these questions with an ethnically (Asian, Black, Latinx and White) and geographically (Northeast, Pacific Northwest, West, Southeast and Hawaii) diverse sample of 4‐ to 6‐year‐old children (N = 605) who completed measures of gender attitudes and discrimination in a preregistered study. Children, across groups, demonstrated more positive attitudes towards their gender ingroup. Children who showed more pro‐ingroup attitudes also showed more pro‐ingroup behavioural discrimination. Girls showed stronger ingroup favouritism than boys, but ethnic and regional groups generally did not vary in levels of bias. These findings contribute to our understanding of how gender intergroup biases develop and highlight the generalizability of these processes.
Perioperative outcomes of transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery and transumbilical laparoendoscopic single‐site surgery in hysterectomy: A comparative study
Authors: Yuan Wenhan , Yang Fan , Zheng Ying 
Published: December 2023

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to compare the perioperative outcomes of patients who underwent hysterectomy for benign gynecologic diseases using transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES) or transumbilical laparoendoscopic single‐site surgery (TU‐LESS).MethodsA total of 314 patients who underwent hysterectomy for benign uterine disease at West China Second University Hospital between October 2018 and December 2021 were enrolled in this retrospective study. vNOTES (n = 157) and TU‐LESS (n = 157) recipients were matched 1:1 in terms of uterine volume. The operation time, blood loss, postoperative decrease in hemoglobin, uterus weight, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative pain score at 12 h, postoperative indwelling catheter time, and other clinical indicators were compared between the two groups.ResultsAll 314 patients successfully completed the surgery, and the two groups had similar baseline characteristics, with no statistical difference. Regarding intraoperative outcomes, the operation time was shorter in the vNOTES group than in the TU‐LESS group (80 vs 100 min, P = 0.04), and there were no significant differences in intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion rate, postoperative decrease in hemoglobin, or uterine weight. Concerning postoperative outcomes, vNOTES hysterectomy was significantly superior to TU‐LESS hysterectomy in terms of the length of hospital stay (3 vs 4 days, P < 0.001), visual analog scale score for pain at 12 h after surgery (P = 0.04), postoperative indwelling catheter time (39.5 vs 64.0 h, P < 0.001), and postoperative exhaust time (24.0 vs 42.0 h, P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in postoperative complications between the two groups.ConclusionvNOTES and TU‐LESS seem safe and feasible for hysterectomy, but vNOTES hysterectomy was more conducive to the postoperative rehabilitation of patients, with less trauma, less pain, and better cosmetic effects than TU‐LESS hysterectomy. As an emerging surgical approach, more studies, including large‐sample, multicenter, randomized controlled trials, are needed to validate our findings.
Superatom molecular orbital in C80
Authors: Venkatakrishnan Padmavathy , Kuklin Artem V. , Suresh Rahul , Subramaniam Vijayakumar 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe Superatom Molecular Orbitals (SAMO) in fullerene derivatives are of great interests which gives a wide basement for many electronic applications. In this work, the Density Functional Theory reveals the SAMO states of endohedrally doped C80 derivatives with Li, Sc, Mn, Ti, Ca, Fe, and Co atoms in molecular and periodic structures. The choice and position of metal atoms in endohedrally doped C80 derivatives largely affects the orientation of SAMO energies and wavefunction distributions. Among various derivatives, the Co‐substituted C80 constitutes the lowest SAMO energy. The charge transfer study infers the influence of metal atoms inside the cage on SAMO energies. At higher energies, pz‐, 2s‐, and pxy‐ SAMO bands have been overlapped with higher dispersion bands which depict the increased intermolecular interaction in delocalized bands causing a larger dispersion. These results give new insights for future studies on lowering SAMO energy nearly to the fermi level in higher fullerenes.
Novel insight from in‐/ex‐situ investigation toward intercalated water in high‐performance oxygen evolution electrocatalysts and their mechanisms
Authors: Wang Guan‐Bo , Lin Li‐Ling , Wang Hsiang‐Ting , Chen Hao Ming 
Published: December 2023

AbstractHydrogen is a green energy source with zero carbon emissions and renewable properties. Green hydrogen, produced via water electrolysis, can efficiently harness excess renewable energy during peak periods, making it a key player in grid stabilization through processes like power‐to‐gas. Consequently, there is a pressing need to develop catalysts with high activity, stability, and cost‐effectiveness in the energy sector. The development of electrochemical (EC) water splitting, a promising path to meet alternative energy demands, however, is hindered by two main challenges that persist in water splitting: the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts still need lower overpotential, and they must have enough stability with high catalytic activity. Both factors determine water electrolysis reactions' overall energy consumption and commercialization potential. This article introduces several significant parameters for assessing catalyst performance; three primary OER mechanisms are also briefly reviewed. Thereby, numerous electrocatalysts for OER are categorized by their composition and morphology. Furthermore, we generalize a common phenomenon that occurs at the surface of catalysts during the OER process. It is deduced that the surface transformation from as‐prepared to an activated state, that is, the surface‐environment change of the active site due to redox‐induced dissolution and re‐deposition, plays a critical role in OER. On the other hand, generating a layered structure leads to the accommodation of intercalated water molecules, which may enhance the activity and robustness via hydrogen bonds and dominate the absorption energy of oxygen species on the metal site. Lastly, we enumerate several in‐/ex‐situ methodologies that can discriminate the real active sites of the bulk, near‐surface region, interface, and intermediates adsorbed on the electrocatalyst surface. Further investigation is needed to unveil the interaction between active sites and embedded water molecules in EC catalytic processes. This paper provides a novel perspective of the intercalated water for future development of OER electrocatalysts, simultaneously considering performance and stability.
Clinical profile, referral trends, and real‐world application of vibration‐controlled transient elastography in children with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in Singapore
Authors: Chiou Fang Kuan , Goh Lynette , Ho Christopher Wen Wei , Rajan Charanya , Logarajah Veena , Ng Lay Queen , Phua Kong Boo 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackground and AimPediatric non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a progressive disorder that is increasing in incidence globally. The study aims to describe the clinical profile and longitudinal outcome, including the utility of vibration‐controlled transient elastography (VCTE), in children with NAFLD at a single tertiary liver unit in Singapore.MethodsRetrospective review of patients aged 0–18 years referred for NAFLD from 2003 to 2020 was conducted. Diagnosis was based on persistent elevation of alanine transaminase ≥2× the upper limit of normal in at‐risk patients, and/or radiologic detection of hepatic steatosis, with the exclusion of other etiologies. VCTE‐derived liver stiffness measurements (LSMs) ≤7.0 , 7.1–9.0, and ≥9.1 kPa were used to differentiate normal (F0–F1), significant fibrosis (F2), and advanced fibrosis (F3–F4), respectively.ResultsThe study included 210 patients (72.4% male, mean age 11.6 years). New cases increased from 1.7/1000 referrals in 2003–2008 to 12.7 and 24.5/1000 referrals in 2009–2014 and 2015–2020, respectively. Significant proportion had dyslipidemia (41.4%), impaired glucose tolerance/diabetes (IGT/DM, 26.7%), and hypertension (17.1%). Only 6.2% had resolution of NAFLD after a mean follow‐up of 3.7 years. Based on VCTE (n = 65), 41.5% had normal LSM, while 26.2% and 32.3% had increased likelihood of significant and advanced fibrosis, respectively. Age ≥16 years (odds ratio [OR] 8.9), IGT/DM (OR 6.5), and aspartate transaminase >70 U/L (OR 11.0) were independent risk factors associated with increased likelihood of advanced fibrosis.ConclusionIncidence of pediatric NAFLD has increased dramatically in Singapore. Based on LSM estimation, pediatric NAFLD may be associated with an increased risk of developing advanced fibrosis by late adolescence.
Assessment of Cerebrovascular Reactivity Using CO2‐BOLD MRI: A 15‐Year, Single Center Experience
Authors: Raghavan Vishvak , Sobczyk Olivia , Sayin Ece Su , Poublanc Julien , Skanda Abby , Duffin James , Venkatraghavan Lashmi , Fisher Joseph A. , Mikulis David J. 
Published: December 2023

BackgroundCerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) is a measure of the change in cerebral blood flow (CBF) in response to a vasoactive challenge. It is a useful indicator of the brain's vascular health.PurposeTo evaluate the factors that influence successful and unsuccessful CVR examinations using precise arterial and end‐tidal partial pressure of CO2 control during blood oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) MRI.Study TypeRetrospective.SubjectsPatients that underwent a CVR between October 2005 and May 2021 were studied (total of 1162 CVR examinations). The mean (±SD) age was 46.1 (±18.8) years, and 352 patients (43%) were female.Field Strength/Sequence3 T; T1‐weighted images, T2*‐weighed two‐dimensional gradient‐echo sequence with standard echo‐planar readout.AssessmentMeasurements were obtained following precise hypercapnic stimuli using BOLD MRI as a surrogate of CBF. Successful CVR examinations were defined as those where: 1) patients were able to complete CVR testing, and 2) a clinically useful CVR map was generated. Unsuccessful examinations were defined as those where patients were not able to complete the CVR examination or the CVR maps were judged to be unreliable due to, for example, excessive head motion, and poor PETCO2 targeting.Statistical AnalysisSuccessful and unsuccessful CVR examinations between hypercapnic stimuli, and between different patterns of stimulus were compared with Chi‐Square tests. Interobserver variability was determined by using the intraclass correlation coefficient (P < 0.05 is significant).ResultsIn total 1115 CVR tests in 662 patients were included in the final analysis. The success rate of generating CVR maps was 90.8% (1012 of 1115). Among the different hypercapnic stimuli, those containing a step plus a ramp protocol was the most successful (95.18%). Among the unsuccessful examinations (9.23%), most were patient related (89.3%), the most common of which was difficulty breathing.Data ConclusionCO2‐BOLD MRI CVR studies are well tolerated with a high success rate.Evidence Level4Technical EfficacyStage 3
Weather conditions and seasonal variability of limited surface visibility at Greenland coastal locations
Authors: Laird Neil F. , Crossett Caitlin C. , Keaton Gabrielle A. , Hopson Leah N. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAdverse weather has been shown to be spatially and temporally variable across high‐latitude locations. The current study provides a unique investigation of limited surface visibility time periods at five coastal Greenland locations from 1979 to 2018 and identifies the coincident adverse weather, as well as the local and large‐scale atmospheric conditions during limited surface visibility time periods. Locations on the east coast of Greenland have the largest percentage of hours with limited visibility each month with maxima during February. Western and southern coastal locations have fewer occurrences of limited visibility. Warm‐season maxima are present in the northern locations, while warm‐season minima occur at all other locations. Fog is reported during each month at all five stations, however, a substantial increase of hours occurs at the northern and eastern stations during the typical melt season on Greenland. There is a seasonal difference in the percent of limited visibility hours linked to precipitation with a minimum in the warm season and maximum across the cold season. Limited visibility attributed to precipitation generally has the largest percentage of hours each month except for the northern and eastern locations during the melt season. The location and number of cyclonic circulations, as well as the spatial scale of troughs, across northeastern Canada and the North Atlantic Ocean greatly influence the adverse weather linked to prolonged limited surface visibility events. Limited visibility events at Thule, Greenland during both the warm and cold seasons are largely influenced by the presence and intensity of a cyclone over northeastern Canada. At Danmarkshavn, Greenland limited visibility events in both seasons generally have a cyclone positioned to the east, an area of higher pressure over Greenland and a cyclone positioned to the west of Greenland.
Multi‐analytical characterization of archaeological fragments of pietra ollare from the Medieval site ‘Piana di S. Martino’ (Piacenza, Italy): A mobile and laboratory approach
Authors: Fornasini Laura , Mantovani Luciana , Bertolini Michela , Conversi Roberta , Bersani Danilo 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe archaeological excavations in the site of ‘Piana di San Martino’ (Pianello Val Tidone, Piacenza, Italy) discovered several fragments of pietra ollare (soapstone) artefacts, dating back to the Medieval period. A selection of fragments was characterized with micro‐Raman spectroscopy in order to determine their composition, in terms of main and accessory species. The morphology of the crystals and the mineral phases were also investigated with polarized‐light microscopy observations, X‐ray powder diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy‐Dispersive System analyses, which corroborate the Raman results. A detailed characterization was obtained on 12 fragments ascribable to pots and a millstone, made of talc‐schists or chlorite‐schists, including garnet‐bearing chlorite‐schists. Interest findings about the activities related to the use of these artefacts and the alteration processes occurred during their burial period were highlighted by the identification of specific products. Additionally, mobile Raman measurements were performed on the fragments, and a quick and effective evaluation of their composition was successfully achieved. These results highlight the use of mobile Raman instruments in the field of archaeology, specifically referred to pietra ollare findings, for which a preliminary identification may be obtained directly in situ.
Measuring Ultrasonographic Thickness of the Achilles Tendon Insertion Is Less Reliable Than the Midportion in Healthy Tendons and Patients With Tendinopathy
Authors: Sleeswijk Visser Tjerk S. O. , Brul Stefano L. , O'Neill Seth , van Es Eline M. , Eygendaal Denise , de Vos Robert‐Jan 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionUltrasound is the preferred imaging method in the diagnostic process of Achilles tendinopathy (AT). Ultrasound tissue characterization (UTC) is a frequently used, standardized and valid method to assess tendon geometry in AT patients. It is unknown whether UTC is reliable for measuring Achilles tendon thickness.The aim of the study was to assess intra‐ and inter‐rater reliability of Achilles tendon thickness measurements using UTC in both asymptomatic individuals and patients with AT, and to evaluate if the reliability of thickness measurements differs between the midportion and insertional area.MethodsExactly 50 patients with AT and 50 asymptomatic individuals were included. Using the conventional US and standardized UTC procedure maximum thickness was measured in the midportion and insertion region. To determine inter‐ and intra‐rater reliabilities, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used.ResultsThe ICC values for inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability were classified as “excellent,” for the AT group (0.93 [95% CI: 0.88–0.96] and 0.95 [0.92–0.97]) and asymptomatic participants (0.91 [0.87–0.94] and 0.94 [0.92–0.96]). The reliability of measuring tendon thickness in the midportion region was “excellent,” with both inter‐rater (0.97 [0.95–0.98]) and intra‐rater (0.98 [0.96–0.99]) ICC values indicating high levels of agreement. In the insertional region, ICC values for inter‐rater (0.79 [0.69–0.87]) and intra‐rater (0.89 [0.84–0.93]) reliability were “moderate to good.”ConclusionWe showed excellent reliability for measuring the US thickness of the midportion and good reliability of measuring the insertional region in patients with AT. Significantly lower ICCs were observed for the reliability of thickness measurements in the insertional region when compared with the midportion.