bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changes and Forms of Sexual Behaviour in old age: A Qualitative Study of Older People in Southeastern Nigeria
Authors: Ede Stephen Sunday , Chepngeno-Langat Gloria , Okoh Chisom Favour 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe misconceptions that old age is an asexual phase of human life has been challenged by increasing empirical evidence which shows that sexual activity persists in old age albeit in different forms and frequency. This study examined how a group of older people in southeastern Nigeria express their sexual behaviour. The semi-structured individual interviews with 14 older people (9 male, 5 female) aged 60?89 years were conducted using an exploratory qualitative approach. The data generated were analysed thematically, and two themes were conceptualised including diverse sexual behaviour and mutual understanding. These themes supported a pattern among the participants where there is a drop in the frequency of physical sexual behaviour but their sexual interests were described to be more stable. However, the sexual interest is channelled into more intimate sexual behaviour. Thus, sexual behaviours in later life in this study were not declining but showed diversity and modifications; most have adjusted to incorporate more emotional bonding and caring. More so, what forms of sexual behaviour constitute for these older partners are often linked to the presence of dynamic interplay of influencing factors ingrained on the level of the older partners mutuality in understanding and responding to theencroaching age-related changes in their sexual behaviour. Remarkably, these factors could be controlled, which signposts a potential premise and point of policy and practical intervention to promote healthy sexual behaviour in later life.
Distant embolisation in infective endocarditis: characteristics and outcomes
Authors: Duffels Mariëlle G. J. , Germans Tjeerd , Bos-Schaap Annet , Drexhage Olivier , Wagenaar Jiri F. P. , van der Zant Friso M. , Hoogewerf Martine , Knol Remco J. J. , Umans Victor A. W. M. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Infective endocarditis is a severe and potentially lethal cardiac disease. Recognition of the clinical features of endocarditis, such as distant embolisation, and adequate treatment should be initiated promptly given the grim perspective of upcoming virulent pathogens.

Methods
We report on our registry-based experience with outcomes of consecutive patients with infective endocarditis with distant embolisation. We aimed to describe the patient characteristics of infective endocarditis complicated by distant organ embolisation and the safety aspects of continuing endocarditis treatment at home in these patients.

Results
From November 2018 through April 2022, 157 consecutive patients were diagnosed with infective endocarditis. Of them, 38 patients (24%) experienced distant embolisation, either in the cerebrum (n = 18), a visceral organ (n = 5), the lungs (n = 7) or the myocardium (n = 8). Pathogens identified in blood cultures were predominantly streptococcal variants (43%), with only one culture-negative endocarditis case. Of the 18 patients with cerebral embolisation, 12 had neurological complaints and most often discrete abnormal findings on neurological examination. Six of the 8 cardiac embolism patients experienced chest pain before admission. Visceral organ and pulmonary embolism occurred silently. Of the 38 patients with distant embolisation, 17 could be discharged earlier by providing antibiotic treatment at home without complications.

Conclusion
This registry-based single-centre experience showed an incidence of distant embolisation in daily care of 24%. Cerebral and coronary embolisation provoked symptoms, while visceral emboli remained silent. Pulmonary emboli may present with inflammatory signs. Distant embolisation was not in itself a contra-indication for outpatient endocarditis@home treatment.
Regulation of ABC transporters by sex steroids may explain differences in drug resistance between sexes
Authors: Mineiro Rafael , Santos Cecília , Gonçalves Isabel , Lemos Manuel , Cavaco José Eduardo B. , Quintela Telma 
Published: March 2023

AbstractDrug efficacy is dependent on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of therapeutic agents. Tight junctions, detoxification enzymes, and drug transporters, due to their localization on epithelial barriers, modulate the absorption, distribution, and the elimination of a drug. The epithelial barriers which control the pharmacokinetic processes are sex steroid hormone targets, and in this way, sex hormones may also control the drug transport across these barriers. Thus, sex steroids contribute to sex differences in drug resistance and have a relevant impact on the sex-related efficacy of many therapeutic drugs. As a consequence, for the further development and optimization of therapeutic strategies, the sex of the individuals must be taken into consideration. Here, we gather and discuss the evidence about the regulation of ATP-binding cassette transporters by sex steroids, and we also describe the signaling pathways by which sex steroids modulate ATP-binding cassette transporters expression, with a focus in the most important ATP-binding cassette transporters involved in multidrug resistance.
Quantification of The Performance of CMIP6 Models for Dynamic Downscaling in The North Pacific and Northwest Pacific Oceans
Authors: Oh Seok-Geun , Kim Bong-Gwan , Cho Yang-Ki , Son Seok-Woo 
Published: March 2023

AbstractSelecting a reliable global climate model as the driving forcing in simulations with dynamic downscaling is critical for obtaining a reliable regional ocean climate. With respect to their accuracy in providing physical quantities and long-term trends, we quantify the performances of 17 models from the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) over the North Pacific (NP) and Northwest Pacific (NWP) oceans for 1979–2014. Based on normalized evaluation measures, each model’s performance for a physical quantity is mainly quantified by the performance score (PS), which ranges from 0 to 100. Overall, the CMIP6 models reasonably reproduce the physical quantities of the driving variables and the warming ocean heat content and temperature trends. However, their performances significantly depend on the variables and region analyzed. The EC-Earth-Veg and CNRM-CM6-1 models show the best performances for the NP and NWP oceans, respectively, with the highest PS values of 85.89 and 76.97, respectively. The EC-Earth3 model series are less sensitive to the driving variables in the NP ocean, as reflected in their PS. The model performance is significantly dependent on the driving variables in the NWP ocean. Nevertheless, providing a better physical quantity does not correlate with a better performance for trend. However, MRI-ESM2-0 model shows a high performance for the physical quantity in the NWP ocean with warming trends similar to references, and it could thus be used as an appropriate driving forcing in dynamic downscaling of this ocean. This study provides objective information for studies involving dynamic downscaling of the NP and NWP oceans.
Friend or foe: Ambrosia beetle response to volatiles of common threats in their fungus gardens
Authors: Diehl Janina M. C. , Kassie Denicia , Biedermann Peter H. W. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractFungus farming insects encounter multiple microbial threats in their cultivar gardens. They can affect both the nutritional cultivar and the insect’s health. In this study, we explored the potential of ambrosia beetles and their larvae to detect the presence of antagonistic or entomopathogenic fungi. The ability to recognize a threat offers individuals a chance to react. Our study organism, the fruit-tree pinhole borer,Xyleborinus saxesenii, is associated with two mutualistic fungi,Dryadomyces sulphureus(Raffaelea sulphurea)andRaffaelea canadensis. Both symbionts were tested in combinations with two common fungus-garden weeds (Aspergillussp. andPenicillium commune) and the entomopathogenBeauveria bassianain two-choice experiments. Behavioural repellence was found in many, but not all combinations. Larvae and adult females showed an opposite response to the entomopathogen, whereas forAspergillussp., neither provoked repellence nor attraction of larvae and adult females, ifR. canadensiswas used as lure. Our results validate a response of both larvae and adult ambrosia beetles towards other fungal volatiles. Their decision to confront a potential threat or preferably to avoid it could be subject to a more complex context.
Repeatability of brain phase-based magnetic resonance electric properties tomography methods and effect of compressed SENSE and RF shimming
Authors: Cao Jun , Ball Iain , Humburg Peter , Dokos Socrates , Rae Caroline 
Published: March 2023

AbstractMagnetic resonance electrical properties tomography (MREPT) is an emerging imaging modality to noninvasively measure tissue conductivity and permittivity. Implementation of MREPT in the clinic requires repeatable measurements at a short scan time and an appropriate protocol. The aim of this study was to investigate the repeatability of conductivity measurements using phase-based MREPT and the effects of compressed SENSE (CS), and RF shimming on the precision of conductivity measurements. Conductivity measurements using turbo spin echo (TSE) and three-dimensional balanced fast field echo (bFFE) with CS factors were repeatable. Conductivity measurement using bFFE phase showed smaller mean and variance that those measured by TSE. The conductivity measurements using bFFE showed minimal deviation with CS factors up to 8, with deviation increasing at CS factors > 8. Subcortical structures produced less consistent measurements than cortical parcellations at higher CS factors. RF shimming using full slice coverage 2D dual refocusing echo acquisition mode (DREAM) and full coverage 3D dual TR approaches further improved measurement precision. BFFE is a more optimal sequence than TSE for phase-based MREPT in brain. Depending on the area of the brain being measured, the scan can be safely accelerated with compressed SENSE without sacrifice of precision, offering the potential to employ MREPT in clinical research and applications. RF shimming with better field mapping further improves precision of the conductivity measures.
Reviewing simulator-based training and assessment in maritime education: a topic modelling approach for tracing conceptual developments
Authors: Wiig A. Camilla , Sellberg Charlott , Solberg Mads 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThis study reviews literature of simulation-based training and assessment to trace conceptual developments in maritime education and training (MET). Our aim is to highlight and examine the historical trajectory of salient topics in MET with the goal of help developing the field forward. The investigation is based on articles published from 1961 to 2021 (n = 87) on simulation-based training and assessment in maritime academic journals. The first review of its kind in MET, the study combines quantitative topic modelling and qualitative content analyses of exemplary texts. Our study investigates: (a) how training and assessment in simulations are conceptualised in MET research and (b) how these conceptualisations have developed over the decades. Our review reveals an educational field dominated by human factors research and dedicated to upholding industry standards. Moreover, adopting quantitative text mining we identified four prominent topics in the literature. These revolve around management of resources, academic performance, simulator training and authentic assessment. A more in-depth qualitative content analysis of the model, tracing conceptual developments over time, suggests that the word ‘learning’ occurs for the first time in 1980. As a concept for scientific inquiry, learning does not gain prominence in the literature on simulation in MET before 2021. Our results suggest some future directions of research and offer a methodological framework for future reviews in maritime affairs that combines quantitative topic modelling with qualitative content analysis.
The Evolution of Swallowing Rehabilitation and Emergence of Biofeedback Modalities
Authors: Huckabee Maggie-Lee , Mills Madeline , Flynn Ruth , Doeltgen Sebastian 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Purpose of Review
The purpose of this review is to consolidate evidence related to the use of biofeedback in swallowing rehabilitation. Rather than a comprehensive review, we provide a historical and conceptual justification for integration of biofeedback modalities in the treatment of dysphagia.

Recent Findings
Although biofeedback has been used for decades in/as an adjunct to muscle strengthening rehabilitation programmes, advances in our understanding of swallowing neural control provide potential for new applications of technology to facilitate swallowing recovery. New research highlights the emergence of skill-based swallowing training, which focuses on adaptation of specific components of timing and coordination in the swallowing motor plan. This research suggests positive clinical outcomes using feedback that is impairment specific and is designed with principles of neuroplasticity in mind.

Summary
The emerging emphasis on motor control, rather than muscle strength, implicates a critical role for the use of biofeedback modalities to allow conscious insights into specific aspects of the generally obscure swallowing process.
The Role of Students’ Beliefs, Parents' Educational Level, and The Mediating Role of Attitude and Motivation in Students’ Mathematics Achievement
Authors: Hidayatullah Achmad , Csíkos Csaba 
Published: March 2023

AbstractInvestigating factors affecting students’ academic performance seems a hard job for researchers on the empirical front. Beliefs, parents' educational background, motivation, and attitudes have been proven significantly influence achievement. However, concurrent research on the relationship among these variables seems scarce. Therefore, to contribute to this gap in knowledge, the purpose of this study is to examine the structural relationships among beliefs, parents' educational level, attitude, motivation, and achievement in mathematics learning. We selected 30 classes randomly from six schools in Surabaya, Indonesia. This study involved 894 fifth- and sixth-grade students (448 boys and 446 girls). Structural equation modeling results showed that this model predicts students’ achievement in mathematics (R2 = 0.49). Beliefs are positively associated with students’ achievement (β = 0.20, p < 0.001), attitude (β = 0.82, p < 0.001), and motivation (β = 0.68, p < 0.001). Parents' educational level is positively associated with achievements (β = 0.17, p < 0.001) and motivation (β = 0.07, p = 0.04). Beliefs were indirectly associated with achievements through attitude (β = 0.31, p < 0.001) and motivation (β = 0.08, p = 0.01). The indirect association between parents' educational level and achievement through motivation was insignificant. This study is valuable because it helps unpack the relationship between beliefs, parents' educational level, attitudes, motivation, and achievement.
Association between ambulatory blood pressure monitoring patterns with cognitive function and risk of dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Gavriilaki Maria , Anyfanti Panagiota , Mastrogiannis Konstantinos , Gavriilaki Eleni , Lazaridis Antonios , Kimiskidis Vasilios , Gkaliagkousi Eugenia 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate whether nocturnal blood pressure fall, expressed by dipping patterns according to 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), is associated with abnormal cognitive function (cognitive impairment or dementia).MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases to identify original articles through December 2022. We included any study with at least ten participants reporting on all-cause dementia or cognitive impairment incidence (primary outcome) or validated cognitive tests (secondary outcome) among ABPM patterns. We assessed risk of bias using Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. We pooled odds ratios (OR) and standardized mean differences (SMD) using random-effect models for primary and secondary outcome, respectively.ResultsIn the qualitative synthesis, 28 studies examining 7595 patients were included. The pooled analysis of 18 studies showed that dippers had a 51% [OR 0.49(0.35–0.69)] lower risk of abnormal cognitive function and a 63% [OR 0.37(0.23–0.61)] lower risk of dementia alone, compared to non-dippers. Reverse dippers presented an up to sixfold higher risk [OR 6.06(3.15–11.64)] of abnormal cognitive function compared to dippers and an almost twofold higher risk [OR 1.81(1.26–2.6)] compared to non-dippers. Reverse dippers performed worse in global function neuropsychological tests compared with both dippers [SMD − 0.66(− 0.93 to − 0.39)] and non-dippers [SMD − 0.35(− 0.53 to − 0.16)].ConclusionDysregulation of the normal circadian BP rhythm, specifically non-dipping and reverse dipping is associated with abnormal cognitive function. Further studies are required to determine potential underlying mechanisms and possible prognostic or therapeutic implications.Protocol registrationPROSPERO database (ID: CRD42022310384).
Biomarkers for risk stratification and antibiotic stewardship in elderly patients
Authors: Falcone Marco , Bauer Michael , Ferrer Ricard , Gavazzi Gaëtan , Gonzalez del Castillo Juan , Pilotto Alberto , Schuetz Philipp 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Optimal treatment of infections in the elderly patients population is challenging because clinical symptoms and signs may be less specific potentially resulting in both, over- and undertreatment. Elderly patients also have a less pronounced immune response to infection, which may influence kinetics of biomarkers of infection.

Methods
Within a group of experts, we critically reviewed the current literature regarding biomarkers for risk stratification and antibiotic stewardship in elderly patients with emphasis on procalcitonin (PCT).

Results
The expert group agreed that there is strong evidence that the elderly patient population is particularly vulnerable for infections and due to ambiguity of clinical signs and parameters in the elderly, there is considerable risk for undertreatment. At the same time, however, this group of patients is particularly vulnerable for off-target effects from antibiotic treatment and limiting the use of antibiotics is therefore important. The use of infection markers including PCT to guide individual treatment decisions has thus particular appeal in geriatric patients. For the elderly, there is evidence that PCT is a valuable biomarker for assessing the risk of septic complications and adverse outcomes, and helpful for guiding individual decisions for or against antibiotic treatment. There is need for additional educational efforts regarding the concept of “biomarker-guided antibiotic stewardship” for health care providers caring for elderly patients.

Conclusion
Use of biomarkers, most notably PCT, has high potential to improve the antibiotic management of elderly patients with possible infection for improving both, undertreatment and overtreatment. Within this narrative review, we aim to provide evidence-based concepts for the safe and efficient use of PCT in elderly patients.
Tribo-corrosion interaction of the parallel steel wires in the suspension bridges
Authors: Wang Bo , Wang Dagang , Chong Hailang , Xie Guozheng , Zhang Dekun , Ge Shirong 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe effect of contact load and relative displacement on tribo-corrosion interaction of parallel steel wires of main cable in the suspension bridge was investigated in this study. A self-made tribo-corrosion test bench was employed to conduct tribo-corrosion tests of parallel steel wires in 3.5% (wt%) NaCl solution and deionized water under different contact loads and different relative displacements. The friction coefficient and wear coefficient of wires were presented. Electrochemical corrosion behavior (Tafel polarization curves, Nyquist diagram, and equivalent circuit diagram) was characterized by electrochemical analyzer. Wear morphology was observed by scanning electron microscope. Wear volume loss and corrosion-wear interaction were quantitatively demonstrated by high-precision weighing balance. The results show that the electrochemical corrosion ability of the steel wires increases with the increase of the contact load or relative displacement. The increased contact load or relative displacement increases the volume loss of corrosion-wear and pure wear, but decreases the wear coefficient. The wear mechanisms in 3.5% NaCl solution are adhesive wear, abrasive wear, and corrosive wear as compared to adhesive wear and abrasive wear in deionized water under different contact loads. The wear mechanisms of parallel steel wires are slightly different under different relative displacements. But the main wear mechanisms are similar to that under different contact loads. The interaction effects of corrosion and wear produced by the contact load and relative displacement are all the synergistic effects.
Tailoring the tribological properties of nanostructured carbon films under water lubrication
Authors: Yang Lei , Xin Shaoshan , Geng Jiang , Guo Meiling 
Published: March 2023

AbstractCarbon films have been considered suitable to be applied in water lubrication since they exhibit excellent friction-reducing and wear resistance, chemical inertness, etc. However, the basic understanding of tribological behaviors of carbon-based films under water lubrication still needs to be explored. In the present work, carbon films with different nanostructures were prepared by the electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma nano-surface manufacturing system, and micro-textures with different sizes were prepared on the surface of carbon films by plasma etching. The influence of nanostructure and surface texture on the tribological properties of carbon films was investigated. The results show that different nanostructured carbon films can obtain lower friction coefficients and longer wear life under water lubrication than under dry condition. Due to low surface roughness, high hardness, and compact structure, the tribological properties of amorphous carbon (a-C) films under water lubrication are much better than those of graphene sheet-embedded carbon (GSEC) films. The prepared surface texture has a negative effect on the hard a-C film, but it can make the soft GSEC film generate soft wear debris at the initial stage. With the action of water, the soft wear debris is bonded on the surface of the contacting ball to form a silt-like transfer film, which increases the wear life by nearly three orders of magnitude. These results extend the basic understanding of the tribological behavior of carbon film under water lubrication, which is crucial in both fundamental and applied science.