bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Ti3SiC2 MAX phase powder through molten salt method
Authors: Etebarian Soroush , Sarpoolaky Hossein , Rezaie Hamid Reza , Velashjerdi Mohammad 
Published: February 2023

AbstractTitanium silicon carbide (Ti3SiC2) MAX phase powder was synthesized from elemental reactants using the molten salt synthesis (MSS) method. Optimum experimental parameters were also investigated to determine the purity and synthesis pathway of the Ti3SiC2 MAX phase. The results showed that Ti3SiC2 was not synthesized using carbon black as the carbon source in the starting materials because of the high quantity of TiC formed along with the TiSi2 silicide phase. However, Ti3SiC2 was successfully synthesized in a relatively high purity (93%) at 1200°C for 2 h using graphite as the source of carbon because of the formation of TiC and Ti5Si3 intermediate phases. The Ti5Si3 silicide phase was found to play a crucial role in the formation of the Ti3SiC2 MAX phase using the MSS method. Moreover, applying a pressure of 150 MPa to the prepared samples and using the eutectic mixture of NaCl–KCl (molar ratio: 1:1) instead of NaCl also resulted in the higher formation of the Ti3SiC2 MAX phase. The formation mechanism of Ti3SiC2 was determined to be the reaction among Ti5Si3, TiC, and residual carbon through the template‐growth and dissolution–precipitation mechanisms that occurred at different stages of the synthesis process.
Sleep quality mediates the relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms and health‐related quality of life in women with type‐II diabetes
Authors: Su Ching‐Chieh , Yang Chiu‐Yueh , Lin Pi‐Chu , Hwang Jawl‐Shan , Liao Chun‐Hou , Lin Yen‐Kuang , Liao Yuan‐Mei 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAimTo examine the mediating effect of sleep quality on the relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms and health‐related quality of life in women with type‐II diabetes.DesignA cross‐sectional study.MethodsA study questionnaire comprising three valid instruments was used to obtain data about lower urinary tract symptoms, sleep quality and physical and mental component summary health‐related quality of life between July 2017 and December 2018 (n = 343). Pearson's correlation coefficients were estimated initially to examine the relationships between the three variables. Multiple regression models were tested using a regression‐based approach Hayes PROCESS macro for SPSS to examine the significance of proposed mediation effects.ResultsMost participants experienced at least one urinary symptom (n = 268, 78.1%). The total number of types of lower urinary tract symptoms experienced by participants was significantly inversely correlated with physical and mental component summary health‐related quality of life, and sleep quality. Participants' sleep quality was significantly correlated with physical and mental component summary health‐related quality of life. The relationships of lower urinary tract symptoms with physical and mental component summary health‐related quality of life were, respectively, fully and partially mediated by sleep quality.ConclusionSleep quality played a mediating role on the relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms and health‐related quality of life. Our findings could lead to improvements of diabetes care in nursing and healthcare practices.ImpactUnderstanding the role of sleep quality in the adverse effects of lower urinary tract symptoms on health‐related quality of life contributes to the development and delivery of appropriate strategies to promote optimal health‐related quality of life. We recommended including assessments of lower urinary tract symptoms, sleep and health‐related quality of life in routine diabetes management. Nurses and healthcare professionals should concurrently reduce lower urinary tract symptoms and improve sleep to achieve this population's optimal health‐related quality of life.Patients or public contributionWe recruited a sample of older women with type‐II diabetes at the endocrinology and metabolism outpatient departments of two hospitals. Study participants provided responses on the study questionnaires. The two hospitals provided needed supports (e.g., height/weight scales, suitable places for interview) during the data collection process.
Life‐space mobility and post‐hospitalization outcomes among older Mexican American Medicare beneficiaries
Authors: Pappadis Monique R. , Chou Lin‐Na , Howrey Bret , Al Snih Soham 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundOlder adults with limited mobility are at an increased risk of adverse health outcomes, an outcome inadequately investigated in older Mexican Americans. We explored whether pre‐admission life‐space mobility predicts post‐hospitalization outcomes among hospitalized Mexican American Medicare beneficiaries.MethodsLife‐space mobility, using the Life‐Space Assessment (LSA), was analyzed using quartiles and 5‐point intervals. Using the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (HEPESE) Waves 7 and 8 data linked to Medicare claims data, 426 older Mexican Americans with at least 2 months of Medicare coverage who were hospitalized within 2 years of completing the LSA were included. Logistic and Cox Proportional regression analyses estimated the association of pre‐admission LSA with post‐hospitalization outcomes.ResultsPrior to hospitalization, 85.4% reported limited life‐space mobility. Most patients (n = 322, 75.6%) were hospitalized for medical reasons. About 65% were discharged to the community. Pre‐admission LSA scores were not associated with community discharge (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.02, 0.95–1.10). Higher pre‐admission LSA scores were associated with 30‐day readmission (OR = 1.11, 1.01–1.22). Patients in the highest pre‐admission LSA quartile (i.e., greatest life‐space mobility) were less likely to die within 2 years after hospital discharge (OR = 0.61, 0.39–0.97) compared to those with lower pre‐admission LSA scores.ConclusionsAmong older Mexican American Medicare beneficiaries, greater pre‐admission LSA scores were associated with an increased risk of 30‐day readmission and a decreased risk of mortality within 2 years following hospitalization. Future work should further investigate the relationship between LSA and post‐hospitalization outcomes in a larger sample of Mexican American older adults.
Patterns and disparities in prescribing of opioids and benzodiazepines for older adults in North Carolina
Authors: Niznik Joshua D. , Hughes Tamera , Armistead Lori T. , Kashyap Jayanth , Roller Jessica , Busby‐Whitehead Jan , Ferreri Stefanie P. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundWe characterized real‐world prescribing patterns of opioids and benzodiazepines (BZDs) for older adults to explore potential disparities by race and sex and to characterize patterns of co‐prescribing.MethodsA retrospective evaluation was conducted using electronic health data for adults ≥65 years old who presented to one of 15 primary care practices between 2019 and 2020 (n = 25,141). Chronic opioid and BZD users had ≥4 prescriptions in the year prior, with at least one in the last 90 or 180 days, respectively. We compared demographic characteristics between all older adults versus chronic opioid and BZD users. We used logistic regression to identify characteristics (age, sex, race, Medicaid use, fall history) associated with opioid and BZD co‐prescribing.ResultsWe identified 833 (3.3%) chronic opioid and 959 chronic BZD users (3.8%) among all older adults seen in these practices. Chronic opioid users were less likely to be Black (12.7% vs. 14.3%) or other non‐White race (1.4% vs. 4.3%), but more likely to be women (66.8% vs. 61.3%). A similar trend was observed for BZD users, with less prescribing among Black (5.4% vs. 14.3%) and other races (2.2% vs. 4.3%) older adults and greater prescribing among women (73.6% vs. 61.3%). Co‐prescribing was observed among 15% of opioid users and 13% of BZD users. Co‐prescribing was largely driven by the presence of relevant co‐morbid conditions including chronic pain, anxiety, and insomnia rather than demographic characteristics.ConclusionsWe observed notable disparities in opioid and BZD prescribing by sex and race among older adults in primary care. Future research should explore if such patterns reflect appropriate prescribing or are due to disparities in prescribing driven by biases related to perceived risks for misuse.
CT perfusion extended window ischemic core estimation: Bayesian algorithm versus oscillation index singular value decomposition
Authors: Morelli Nicola , Immovilli Paolo , Giacopazzi Elena , Rota Eugenia , Spallazzi Marco , Zaino Domenica , Colombi Davide , Guidetti Donata , Michieletti Emanuele 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackground and PurposeIschemic core estimation by CT perfusion (CTp) is a diagnostic challenge, mainly because of the intrinsic noise associated with perfusion data. However, an accurate and reliable quantification of the ischemic core is critical in the selection of patients for reperfusion therapies. Our study aimed at assessing the diagnostic accuracy of two different CTp postprocessing algorithms, that is, the Bayesian Method and the oscillation index singular value decomposition (oSVD).MethodsAll the consecutive stroke patients studied in the extended time window (>4.5 hours from stroke onset) by CTp and diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), between October 2019 and December 2021, were enrolled. The agreement between both algorithms and DWI was assessed by the Bland‐Altman plot, Wilcoxon signed‐rank test, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).ResultsTwenty‐four patients were enrolled (average age: 72 ± 15 years). The average National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 14.42 ± 6.75, the median Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score was 8.50 (interquartile range [IQR] = 7.75‐9), and median time from stroke onset to neuroimaging was 7.5 hours (IQR = 6.5‐8). There was an excellent correlation between DWI and oSVD (ρ = .87, p‐value < .001) and DWI and Bayesian algorithm (ρ = .94, p‐value < .001). There was a stronger ICC between DWI and Bayesian algorithm (.97, 95% confidence interval [CI]: .92‐.99, p‐value < .001) than between DWI and oSVD (.59, 95% CI: .26‐.8, p‐value < .001).DiscussionThe agreement between Bayesian algorithm and DWI was greater than between oSVD and DWI in the extended window. The more accurate estimation of the ischemic core offered by the Bayesian algorithm may well play a critical role in the accurate selection of patients for reperfusion therapies.
Reverse scan body: A complete digital workflow for prosthesis prototype fabrication
Authors: Papaspyridakos Panos , Bedrossian Armand , Kudara Yukio , Ntovas Panagiotis , Bokhary Abdullah , Chochlidakis Konstantinos 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPurposeTo assess the accuracy of fit of prosthesis prototypes fabricated via a complete digital workflow protocol with a reverse scan body skipping intraoral scanning for implant data acquisition.Materials and methodsA maxillary stone cast with four multiunit abutment implant analogs (Screw‐Retained Abutments, Institut Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland) with adequate anteroposterior spread simulated a common clinical patient situation. This stone cast served as the master cast and an interim screw‐retained prosthesis was fabricated on it. Novel reverse scan bodies were connected to the interim prosthesis, and extraoral scanning was performed with a white light intraoral scanner. The produced standard tessellation language (STL) files were then imported to computer‐assisted design software and after the digital design, the STL file was exported to a computer‐assisted machining milling machine and a three‐dimensional (3D) printer to produce a total of 50 milled and 50 printed fixed complete denture prototypes, respectively. Two clinicians assessed the accuracy of fit of each digitally fabricated prosthesis prototype on the master cast, utilizing the screw‐resistance test and radiographic evaluation. Out of the 100 prototypes, 94% (94/100) were fitting accurately. Fisher's exact test was used to test the difference among the groups. The test revealed statistically significant results (p = 0.027).ResultsOut of the 50 digitally fabricated milled prosthesis prototypes, 50 (100%) presented with accurate fit under in vitro assessment. Out of the 50 digitally fabricated 3D printed prototypes, 44 (88%) presented with accurate fit under in vitro assessment.ConclusionsAccurately fitting digitally fabricated prosthesis prototypes can be milled after extraoral scanning with reverse scan bodies without intraoral implant data acquisition.
In vitro measurement of the retention force of two stud attachment systems during cyclic load
Authors: Friedrichsen Momme , Dirksen Dieter , Runte Christoph 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the retentive behavior of the Locator legacy and Novaloc attachment systems with different retention inserts both within and across systems under cyclic load.Materials and methodsThree retention inserts of each system (green, yellow, and white for Novaloc; green, orange, and red inserts for extended range for legacy Locator) were tested on abutments of both systems with a sample number of 10 per force and 10,000 cycles of insertion and removal. The loading was applied in the axial direction of the abutments, which were placed in artificial saliva. The retention force was measured in each cycle. The results were compared with the manufacturer's specifications and evaluated for a simulated period of use of 10 years. Characteristic time constants were determined, and subsequently, the two systems were compared regarding their wear behavior.ResultsThe manufacturer's specifications could only be confirmed for the green Novaloc retention insert on a Novaloc abutment (t‐test: p = 0.50); for all other inserts, the baseline exceeded the manufacturer's specifications by 30%–75% (Novaloc; t‐test: p < 0.001) and 75%–550% (Locator; t‐test: p < 0.001). After 10,000 cycles performed, the manufacturer's specifications were confirmed on a Novaloc abutment for the white Novaloc retention insert (t‐test: p = 0.86) and on a Locator abutment for the green Novaloc retention insert (t‐test: p = 0.32). Both systems lost retention force during the experiment. Overall, Novaloc inserts on both abutments showed less wear (decrease to 56%–85% of initial force) and a slower decrease in retention force compared to Locator inserts (decrease to 6%–31% of initial force).ConclusionsIn both systems, wear leads to a varying loss of retention; therefore, regular checks with possible replacement of the inserts are necessary in clinical use. Novaloc attachments seem to be more resistant to the loss of retention than Locator attachments. A cross‐combination may be clinically useful in some cases.
Multiple mutations in the Nav1.4 sodium channel of New Guinean toxic birds provide autoresistance to deadly batrachotoxin
Authors: Bodawatta Kasun H. , Hu Haofu , Schalk Felix , Daniel Jan‐Martin , Maiah Gibson , Koane Bonny , Iova Bulisa , Beemelmanns Christine , Poulsen Michael , Jønsson Knud A. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractToxicity has evolved multiple times across the tree of life and serves important functions related to hunting, defence and parasite deterrence. Toxins are produced either in situ by the toxic organism itself or associated symbionts, or acquired through diet. The ability to exploit toxins from external sources requires adaptations that prevent toxic effects on the consumer (autoresistance). Here, we examine genomic adaptations that could facilitate autoresistance to the diet‐acquired potent neurotoxic alkaloid batrachotoxin (BTX) in New Guinean toxic birds. Our work documents two new toxic bird species and shows that toxic birds carry multiple mutations in theSCN4Agene that are under positive selection. This gene encodes the most common vertebrate muscle Nav channel (Nav1.4). Molecular docking results indicate that some of the mutations that are present in the pore‐forming segment of the Nav channel, where BTX binds, could reduce its binding affinity. These mutations should therefore prevent the continuous opening of the sodium channels that BTX binding elicits, thereby preventing muscle paralysis and ultimately death. Although these mutations are different from those present in NeotropicalPhyllobatespoison dart frogs, they occur in the same segments of the Nav1.4 channel. Consequently, in addition to uncovering a greater diversity of toxic bird species than previously known, our work provides an intriguing example of molecular‐level convergent adaptations allowing frogs and birds to ingest and use the same neurotoxin. This suggests that genetically modified Nav1.4 channels represent a key adaptation to BTX tolerance and exploitation across vertebrates.
Markedly prolonged compound muscle action potential duration in a patient with coronavirus disease 2019 related critical illness myopathy
Authors: Mizoi Yoshikazu , Ikeda Kei , Sonoo Masahiro , Hatanaka Yuki , Yamamoto Toshimasa 
Published: February 2023

AbstractA 56‐year‐old man admitted with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) became severely ill, required ventilator support and intensive care unit management. After ventilator weaning, he was found to have quadriparesis. Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) was suspected and administration of high‐dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) was considered. However, markedly prolonged compound muscle action potential (CMAP) duration was observed, leading to a diagnosis of critical illness myopathy (CIM). Therefore, IVIg was not given at all, and supportive care was continued. A good functional recovery was obtained. Prolonged CMAP duration is a characteristic finding to CIM. CIM following severe COVID‐19 infection is probably common, although the diagnostic value of prolonged CMAP duration is not widely recognized. This characteristic finding deserves more attention because it contributes to early differentiation between CIM and GBS and the use of IVIg in patients with COVID‐19 may cause thrombotic complications and worsen the prognosis.
Transcriptome analysis of drought‐responsive and drought‐tolerant mechanisms in maize leaves under drought stress
Authors: Jiang Yuan , Su Shengzhong , Chen Hao , Li Shipeng , Shan Xiaohui , Li He , Liu Hongkui , Dong Haixiao , Yuan Yaping 
Published: February 2023

AbstractMaize is a major crop essential for food and feed, but its production is threatened by various biotic and abiotic stresses. Drought is one of the most common abiotic stresses, causing severe crop yield reduction. Although several studies have been devoted to selecting drought‐tolerant maize lines and detecting the drought‐responsive mechanism of maize, the transcriptomic differences between drought‐tolerant and drought‐susceptible maize lines are still largely unknown. In our study, RNA‐seq was performed on leaves of the drought‐tolerant line W9706 and the drought‐susceptible line B73 after drought treatment. We identified 3147 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between these two lines. The upregulated DEGs in W9706 were enriched in specific processes, including ABA signaling, wax biosynthesis, CHO metabolism, signal transduction and brassinosteroid biosynthesis‐related processes, while the downregulated DEGs were enriched in specific processes, such as stomatal movement. Altogether, transcriptomic analysis suggests that the different drought resistances were correlated with the differential expression of genes, while the drought tolerance of W9706 is due to the more rapid response to stimulus, higher water retention capacity and stable cellular environment under water deficit conditions.
Valence precedes value in neural encoding of prediction error
Authors: Stewardson Harry , Sambrook Thomas D. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractEvent‐related potentials that follow feedback in reinforcement learning tasks have been proposed to reflect neural encoding of prediction errors. Prior research has shown that in the interval of 240–340 ms multiple different prediction error encodings appear to co‐occur, including a value signal carrying signed quantitative prediction error and a valence signal merely carrying sign. The effects used to identify these two encoders, respectively a sign main effect and a sign × size interaction, do not reliably discriminate them. A full discrimination is made possible by comparing tasks in which the reinforcer available on a given trial is set to be either appetitive or aversive against tasks where a trial allows the possibility of either. This study presents a meta‐analysis of reinforcement learning experiments, the majority of which presented the possibility of winning or losing money. Value and valence encodings were identified by conventional difference wave methodology but additionally by an analysis of their predicted behavior using a Bayesian analysis that incorporated nulls into the evidence for each encoder. The results suggest that a valence encoding, sensitive only to the available outcomes on the trial at hand precedes a later value encoding sensitive to the outcomes available in the wider experimental context. The implications of this for modeling computational processes of reinforcement learning in humans are discussed.
Influences of glycine supplementation during vitrification on the developmental potential of vitrified/warmed immature dromedary camel oocytes
Authors: Yaqout Karim A. , Bard Magdy R. , El‐Wishy Abou Bakr A. , Moawad Adel R. , El‐Shalofy Amr S. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractOocytes experience detrimental osmotic stress during vitrification and warming procedures because of the osmolality imbalance between the vitrification‐warming fluids and the intracellular environment. Cellular osmotic homeostasis can be preserved by glycine, a powerful osmolyte with antioxidant properties. We aimed to examine the influences of supplementing glycine to the vitrification solutions (VS) on the developmental potential of vitrified/warmed immature dromedary camel oocytes following IVM/IVF and in vitro embryo culture (IVC). Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from dromedary camel ovaries and randomly allocated into two groups namely control (oocytes subjected directly to IVM) and vitrified (COCs were vitrified into VS supplemented with 0.0, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 mM glycine). For vitrification, COCs were equilibrated for 3 min in 12.5% ethylene glycol; EG plus 12.5% dimethyl sulfoxide; DMS and then they were vitrified for 60 s in VS composed of 25% EG + 25% DMSO using solid surface vitrification (SSV). Warming of vitrified oocytes was conducted in decreasing concentrations of trehalose solution. Following vitrification and warming, the morphologically viable oocytes were subjected to IVM for 36 h. Matured oocytes were then fertilized in vitro by epididymal spermatozoa and cultured for seven days. The results showed that the percentage of viable oocytes assessed by trypan blue stain was significantly higher (p ≤ .05) in the 1.0 mM glycine‐supplemented group than 0.0‐ and 2.0‐mM glycine‐supplemented ones (90.0 % vs. 80.0% and 76.6%, respectively). However, no significant difference was observed between 0.5 mM glycine and other vitrified groups. Nuclear maturation rates, cleavage (48‐h post‐insemination; pi) and blastocyst rate (7‐days pi) were significantly lower in vitrified groups than control ones (p ≤ .05). Among vitrified groups, these parameters were the highest in the 1.0 mM glycine‐supplemented group. Taken together, supplementation of vitrification solutions with 1.0 mM glycine could enhance the developmental potential of vitrified/warmed immature dromedary camel oocytes.