bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quality‐of‐life assessment instruments used across ALS clinics
Authors: Mehta Ambereen K. , Sarmet Max , Maiser Samuel , Meyer Jenny A. , Kolodziejczak Sherry , Washington Karla , Simmons Zachary 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIntroduction/AimsInstruments have been developed to assess quality of life (QoL) among people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It is unclear whether these are utilized regularly in the clinical setting to guide individual patient care. In this study we aimed to understand the current use of instruments and existing barriers to assessing QoL in clinical ALS care.MethodsAn anonymous survey developed by Northeast ALS (NEALS) Consortium Palliative Committee members was distributed to all multidisciplinary NEALS members. Data were summarized via calculation of descriptive statistics. ALS Center characteristics were compared using chi‐square and Fisher exact tests for categorical variables.ResultsSeventy‐three (6.4%) of the 1132 NEALS members responded to the survey, representing 148 clinics, 49.3% of whom reported assessing QoL during clinic visits. The most used ALS‐specific instruments were the ALS Assessment Questionnaire (19.4%) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Specific Quality of Life scale (16.6%). Barriers reported were uncertainty regarding which instrument to use and length of visits. QoL assessment was not significantly correlated with length of clinic visit but with access to specialty palliative care.DiscussionQoL assessments are performed by some, but not all, ALS centers during clinical visits. Although this study did have a low number of responding centers, the percentage, the proportion is similar to that seen in earlier studies, which limits the findings' generalizability. The value of QoL assessments' impact on outcomes should be further investigated and, if warranted, creative ways sought to increase the frequency of their use, including patient self‐assessments before clinic and/or the use of teleheath to reduce the length of clinic visits.
Cutoff values for appendicular skeletal muscle mass using dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry in a reference group of Turkish adults
Authors: Dikmeer Ayse , Unsal Pelin , Burkuk Suna , Ozturk Yelda , Koca Meltem , Guclu Simay , Balci Cafer , Dogu Burcu B. , Cankurtaran Mustafa , Akata Deniz , Halil Meltem 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study is to determine cutoff values for different appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) methods measured by dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) in a reference group of the Turkish population.MethodsBody composition analyses were performed with DXA, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was adjusted to body size as ASMI using height squared (ASM/ht2), weight (ASM/wt), and body mass index (BMI) (ASM/BMI). Sex‐specific cutoff values were obtained as 1 and 2 standard deviations (SDs) below the mean values of ASM/ht2, ASM/wt, and ASM/BMI.ResultsA total of 207 (106 women and 101 men) healthy adults were enrolled. Sex‐specific cutoff values based on 1 SD below the mean values of ASM, ASM/ht2, ASM/BMI, and ASM/wt were 14.44, 5.45, 0.61, and 24.07 in women and 22.63, 7.22, 0.90, and 29.04 in men, respectively; 2 SDs below the mean values of ASM, ASM/ht2, ASM/BMI, and ASM/wt were 11.96, 4.65, 0.51, and 21.75 in women and 19.26, 6.40, 0.78, and 26.55 in men, respectively. ASM, ASM/BMI, ASM/ht2, and ASM/wt were statistically significant positively correlated with handgrip strength (r = 0.81, r = 0.78, r = 0.73, and r = 0.67, respectively; P < 0.001).ConclusionIn this study, ASM/BMI was found to be the most suitable ASM adjustment method to predict muscle strength.
Exploring the effect of music therapy as intervention to reduce anxiety pre‐ and post‐operatively in CABG surgery: A quantitative systematic review
Authors: Wu Lan , Yao Yongbo 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAimPatients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery may experience psychological complications, which can increase mortality. This review aims to explore the efficacy of music therapy as an intervention to reduce anxiety pre‐ and post‐operatively in CABG surgery.DesignThis was a quantitative systematic review registered in PROSPERO (REDACTED).MethodsThis review used the PECOD framework to identify quantitative questions. We systematically searched seven electronic databases (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, PsycArticles, and PsycInfo) for articles published between 1 January 1992 and 13 July 2022. Studies were critically appraised, and the results of this systematic review yielded a narrative summary of the findings.ResultsFour randomized control trials and one quasi‐experimental study published in English were included in the review. Narrative analysis indicated that patients undergoing CABG who were assigned to the group receiving music therapy reported significantly reduced anxiety levels compared with controls who did not listen to music. In addition, music therapy can effectively be used as a non‐pharmacological intervention to manage anxiety pre‐ and post‐operatively in CABG surgery.No members of the public or patients were involved in the design or conduct of the study.
Code verification of non‐linear immersed boundary simulations using the method of manufactured solutions
Authors: Petö Márton , Juhre Daniel , Eisenträger Sascha 
Published: October 2023

AbstractNon‐standard finite element technologies, such as immersed boundary approaches, are typically based on novel algorithms and advanced methods, which require reliable testing of the implemented code. For this purpose, the method of manufactured solutions (MoMS) offers a great framework, enabling an easy and straightforward derivation of closed‐form reference solutions. In this contribution, the focus is kept on non‐linear analysis via the finite cell method (FCM), which is typically based on an unfitted geometry discretization and higher‐order shape functions. The code verification via MoMS generally requires the application of boundary conditions to all boundaries of the simulation domain, which need to be enforced in a weak sense on the immersed boundaries. To avoid this, we propose a novel way of deriving manufactured solutions, for which the necessary constraints on the embedded boundaries are directly fulfilled. Thus, weak boundary conditions can be eliminated from the FCM simulation, and the simulation complexity is reduced when testing other relevant features of the immersed code. In particular, we focus on finite strain analysis of 3D structures with a Neo‐Hookean material model, and show that the proposed technique enables a reliable code verification approach for all load steps throughout the deformation process.
Polysaccharides based biopolymers for biomedical applications: A review
Authors: Jabeen Nazish , Atif Muhammad 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPolysaccharides are a class of natural biopolymers that have attracted significant attention due to their unique properties, which make them attractive for use in a wide range of applications. These biopolymers have an important role in our daily life, and designing biomaterials for biomedical applications requires careful consideration of factors such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, renewability, affordability, and availability, all of which can be achieved with polysaccharides. This review paper focuses on the use of polysaccharides in biomedical applications and provides an in‐depth analysis of the potential applications of arabinoxylan, a type of hemicellulose, in various fields, including drug delivery, infection control, tissue engineering, wound healing, and others. Arabinoxylan, which is derived from plants, is the most abundant and important class of hemicellulose and has a diverse role as a catalyst due to its biodegradability, biocompatibility, and renewable nature. Polysaccharide‐based biopolymers have applications in tissue engineering, wound covers, drug delivery systems, food preservation, and biocomposite films, making them an emerging excipient in pharmaceutical research. This review paper highlights the potential of polysaccharide‐based biopolymers in biomedical science and suggests that continued research and development will lead to broader and more innovative applications in the field. The use of polysaccharide‐based biopolymers has the potential to significantly advance healthcare and improve patient outcomes.
Extraction of microfibrillated cellulose from elephant egesta and evaluating its reinforcing ability in pectin/alginate packaging films
Authors: Varughese Steffy Annie , Gokul S. , Keerthi P. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPectin and sodium alginate (SA) composite films were prepared by adding various concentrations of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) via solvent casting using glycerol as a plasticizer. Herein, elephant egesta was turned into cellulose fibers from which MFC was extracted. This paper aims to examine the reinforcing property of MFC on the pectin/SA matrix. Fibrous morphology, qualitative analysis, crystallinity, and thermal stability of MFC were confirmed through SEM, FT‐IR, XRD, and TGA‐DTA analysis, respectively. The impact of various compositions of MFC (0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 5%) on the biopolymeric blend was analyzed based on mechanical and optical properties, hygroscopicity, and hydrophilicity. The outcomes revealed that adding MFC to 5% enhances the film's tensile strength by 51%. The produced film also served as a successful barrier against UV–visible light. Moreover, it exhibits a tremendous increase in contact angle and a decrease in properties such as elongation at break, moisture content (MC) and water solubility (WS). Therefore, MFC can be an excellent reinforcing agent in biodegradable polymer composites, which finds application in the food packaging industry.Highlights
Microfibrillated cellulose was successfully extracted from elephant egesta and characterized.
Energy efficient method of extraction.
Pectin/SA films were incorporated with the extracted MFC via solvent casting.
Prepared films show enhanced tensile strength and UV–visible barrier property which makes them suitable for packaging purposes.
Bio‐based polymers reduce environmental pollution.
Quantitative X‐ray scattering and reflectivity measurements of polymer thin films with 2D detectors
Authors: Hu Mingqiu , Gan Xuchen , Chen Zhan , Seong Hong‐Gyu , Emrick Todd , Russell Thomas P. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractWe describe a fully open‐sourced Python package to process raw X‐ray scattering data using a GANESHA SAXSLAB facility, and review in this manuscript the connection of X‐ray scattering theories with the open‐sourced package. This package affords researchers more flexibility in analyzing and visualizing X‐ray scattering and reflectivity data from what is now a commonplace facility at many universities and research laboratories engaged in polymer research. We briefly review the applications of X‐ray scattering and diffraction, followed by the scattering theories. A pedagogical introduction to processing X‐ray scattering data is provided using the modules in the Python package. We compare conventions to visualize and interpret transmission and grazing‐incidence scattering data using self‐assembled lamellar morphology of bottlebrush copolymers as an example, then describe how area detectors measure specular and off‐specular reflectivity. Examples of in‐house reflectivity and grazing incidence scattering for the metrological examination of a grating are provided, where the full pitch and pitch height of a line pattern is measured easily without needing to simulate the full scattering intensity profile.
Mechanism of foraging selections regulated by gustatory receptor 43a in Ostrinia furnacalis larvae
Authors: Shi Jian , He Lei , Du Juan , Wang Chen‐Zhu , Zhao Zhangwu 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDOmnivores, including humans, have an inborn tendency to avoid risky or non‐nutritious foods. However, relatively little is known about how animals perceive and discriminate nutritious foods from risky substances. In this study, we explored the mechanism of feeding selection in Ostrinia furnacalis larvae, one of the most destructive pests to the maize crop.RESULTSWe identified a gustatory receptor, Gr43a, for feeding regulation in larvae of Ostrinia furnacalis, which highly expresses in the mouthparts of the first‐ (the period of just hatching out from eggs) and fifth‐instar larvae (the period of gluttony). The Gr43a regulates foraging plasticity by discriminating sorbitol, a nonsweet nutritious substance, and sucralose, a sweet non‐nutritious substance through the labra of mouthparts, while it differentiates fructose/sucrose and sucralose via the sensilla styloconica of mouthparts. Specially, Gr43a responds to fructose and sucrose via the medial and lateral sensilla styloconica in O. furnacalis, respectively. Furthermore, Gr43a is negatively regulated by the neuropeptide F system, a homologous mammalian neuropeptide Y system.CONCLUSIONThis study reveals a smart feeding strategy for animals to meet both nutritional needs and sweet gratification, and offers an insight into complex feeding selections dependent on food resources in the surrounding environment. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Repellent effect of two anthranilates against the tropical bed bug Cimex hemipterus (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) demonstrated in laboratory assays
Authors: Zhang Jingsheng , Xia Yanwei , Liang Jiayong , Wang Changlu , Qiu Hualong , He Yurong , Ma Tao , Wang Lei , Wang Desen 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe bites and blood sucking of bed bugs (Cimex spp.) (Hemiptera: Cimicidae) pose a serious threat to human physical and mental health. Application of an effective repellent can prevent or reduce bed bug bites. Previous studies on repellent screening mainly focused on Cimex lectularius L. In this study, we investigated the repellent effect of two safe food additives, ethyl anthranilate (EA) and butyl anthranilate (BA), against Cimex hemipterus (F.), and also explored the role of antennae and mouthparts on C. hemipterus perception of repellents.RESULTSBoth EA and BA had a strong repellent effect against tropical bed bugs and their repellency was similar or lower than that of N,N‐diethyl‐3‐methyl benzoyl amide, depending on whether or not a CO2 source was present. EA had higher repellency than BA and exhibited repellency to C. hemipterus for 3 days when a CO2 source was present. C. hemipterus avoided resting on 20% EA‐ and BA‐treated harborages. Applying 20% EA and BA on rabbit skin significantly reduced the blood intake of C. hemipterus within 2 h. C. hemipterus could perceive EA and BA after their antennae or mouthparts or both antennae and mouthparts were removed.CONCLUSIONBoth EA and BA had strong repellency against C. hemipterus, with EA being more repellent. Ablation of antennae and mouthparts did not affect the perception of EA and BA by C. hemipterus. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Ursolic acid alleviates chronic prostatitis via regulating NLRP3 inflammasome‐mediated Caspase‐1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway
Authors: Liu Sheng‐jing , Guo Bo‐da , Gao Qing‐he , Deng Ying‐jun , Yan Bin , Zeng Yin , Zhao Ming , Ren Kai , Wang Fu , Guo Jun 
Published: October 2023

AbstractUrsolic acid (UA) is a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid widely found in fruits and vegetables. It has been reported that UA has anti‐inflammatory effects. However, its efficacy and mechanism of action in the treatment of chronic prostatitis (CP) remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of UA treatment in CP and further explore the underlying mechanism. CP rat and pyroptosis cell models were established in vivo and in vitro, respectively. The efficacy of UA in inhibiting CP was evaluated via haematoxylin‐eosin (HE) staining and measurement of inflammatory cytokines. RNA sequencing and molecular docking were used to predict the therapeutic targets of UA in CP. The expression of pyroptosis‐related proteins was examined using various techniques, including immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry. UA significantly ameliorated pathological damage and reduced the levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the CP model rats. RNA sequencing analysis and molecular docking suggested that NLRP3, Caspase‐1, and GSDMD may be key targets. We also found that UA decreased ROS levels, alleviated oxidative stress, and inhibited p‐NF‐κB protein expression both in vivo and in vitro. UA improved pyroptosis morphology as indicated by electron microscope and inhibited the expression of the pyroptosis‐related proteins NLRP3, Caspase‐1, ASC, and GSDMD, reversed the levels of IL‐1β, IL‐18, and lactate dehydrogenase in vivo and in vitro. UA can mitigate CP by regulating the NLRP3 inflammasome‐mediated Caspase‐1/GSDMD pathway. Therefore, UA may be a potential for the treatment of CP.
Pulmonary hemodynamics and transplant‐free survival in sarcoidosis‐associated pulmonary hypertension: Results from an international registry
Authors: Gayen Shameek K. , Baughman Robert P. , Nathan Steven D. , Wells Athol U. , Kouranos Vasilis , Alhamad Esam H. , Culver Daniel A. , Barney Joseph , Carmoma Eva M. , Cordova Francis C. , Huitema Marloes , Scholand Mary Beth , Wijsenbeek Marlies , Ganesh Sivagini , Birring Surinder S. , Price Laura C. , Wort Stephen J. , Shlobin Oksana A. , Gupta Rohit 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPulmonary hypertension (PH) is a risk factor for mortality in patients with sarcoidosis. Severe PH in chronic lung disease has previously been defined as mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) ≥ 35 mmHg or mPAP 25 ≥ mmHg with cardiac index (CI) ≤ 2 L/min/m2. However, there is no clear definition denoting severity of sarcoidosis‐associated PH (SAPH). We aimed to determine pulmonary hemodynamic cut‐off values where transplant‐free survival was worse among patients with SAPH. This was a retrospective cohort analysis of the Registry of SAPH database focusing on pulmonary hemodynamic predictors of transplant‐free survival among patients with precapillary SAPH. Cox regression was performed to determine which pulmonary hemodynamic values predicted death or lung transplantation. Kaplan−Meier survival analysis was performed on statistically significant predictors to determine pulmonary hemodynamic cut‐off values where transplant‐free survival was decreased. Decreased transplant‐free survival occurred among SAPH patients with mPAP ≥ 40 mmHg and SAPH patients with pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) ≥ 5 Woods units (WU). Transplant‐free survival was not decreased in patients who fulfilled prior criteria of severe PH in chronic lung disease. We identified new cut‐offs with decreased transplant‐free survival in the SAPH population. Neither cut‐off of mPAP ≥ 40 mmHg nor PVR ≥ 5 WU has previously been shown to be associated with decreased transplant‐free survival in SAPH. These values could suggest a new definition of severe SAPH. Our PVR findings are in line with the most recent European Society of Cardiology/European Respiratory Society guideline definition of severe PH in chronic lung disease.
Enhanced Entanglement and Quantum Steering Induced by a Common Reservoir in Cavity Magnomechanics
Authors: Dong Ting‐Ting , Wang Nan , Li Shi‐Yan , Zhu Ai‐Dong , Zhang Da‐Wei 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis study proposes to enhance entanglement and control quantum steering via dissipative coupling in an open cavity magnomechanical system connected to a common reservoir shared by photon and magnon modes. In such a system, dissipative coupling induced by the common reservoir plays a crucial role in producing entanglements and quantum steering. The photon‐magnon‐phonon tripartite entanglement is significantly enhanced, exhibiting periodic sudden death and resurgence with the relative phase between coherent and dissipative couplings. It is revealed that the collaboration between dissipative and coherent couplings can produce entanglement and steering even in the absence of nonlinearity within the system. Moreover, the steering directivity can be controlled by adjusting the dissipative coupling strength and the relative phase. These findings are counterintuitive in terms of dissipation, which provides a novel approach for preparing quantum entanglement and manipulating quantum steering in an open system.
Design and analysis of event‐triggered predictive sliding mode control for discrete‐time constrained system
Authors: Meng Huan , Zhang Jinhui , Li Sihang 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis paper presents a new approach for designing an event‐triggered predictive sliding mode control (SMC) for discrete‐time systems subject to constraints. The proposed controller is based on an existing reach‐law‐based SMC, and it formulates an optimization control problem (OCP) to generate predictive control actions that satisfy both state and input constraints. An event‐triggered strategy is introduced to reduce the frequency of OCP solving by taking into account the sliding mode controller and unmeasurable states between sampling instants. The paper also analyzes the recursive feasibility of the proposed controller, which ensures the feasibility of each OCP solution. Numerical simulations and comparison studies are performed to validate the theoretical results. The proposed approach offers an effective way to design event‐triggered predictive sliding mode controllers that reduce the computational burden of OCP solving while guaranteeing the satisfaction of system constraints.
Co Ion‐, NiS2‐ and CNT‐Co‐Doped Nanoflower/Hollow Spherical NiO Nanocomposites for Efficient Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Methanol
Authors: Yu Yongchang , Zhang Chang , Long Anchun , Ge Xianlong , Song Yankai , Meng Minfeng , Hu Shaohua , Gu Yingying 
Published: October 2023

AbstractNowadays, the development and utilization of clean energy are becoming increasingly urgent. Among them, methanol is a new, clean, and efficient energy source. Therefore, more and more studies are focusing on methanol anodic oxidation (MOR). In this work, nanoflower and hollow spherical NiO was synthesized by a simply hydrothermal method and then modified by Co ion, NiS2 and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The optimal Co/NiO(f)/NiS2−CNT exhibits flower‐like morphology with a larger specific surface area, enlarged electrochemically active surface area and higher conductivity, which improve the electron transfer ability and electrocatalytic activity compared with pure NiO(f), NiO(f)/NiS2, NiO(f)/NiS2−CNT and hollow spherical Co/NiO(hs)/NiS2−CNT. The current density is ultrahigh of 203.46 mA ⋅ cm−2 at 0.8 V, which is 36 times higher than pure NiO(f) and almost 2 times higher than Co/NiO(hs)/NiS2−CNT. Therefore, this work offers a highly efficient and stable NiO based catalyst for methanol oxidation reaction.