bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Backward masking implicates cortico-cortical recurrent processes in convex figure context effects and cortico-thalamic recurrent processes in resolving figure-ground ambiguity
Authors: Peterson Mary A. , Campbell Elizabeth Salvagio 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionPrevious experiments purportedly showed that image-based factors like convexity were sufficient for figure assignment. Recently, however, we found that the probability of perceiving a figure on the convex side of a central border was only slightly higher than chance for two-region displays and increased with the number of display regions; this increase was observed only when the concave regions were homogeneously colored. These convex figure context effects (CEs) revealed that figure assignment in these classic displays entails more than a response to local convexity. A Bayesian observer replicated the convex figure CEs using both a convexity object prior and a new, homogeneous background prior and made the novel prediction that the classic displays in which both the convex and concave regions were homogeneous were ambiguous during perceptual organization.MethodsHere, we report three experiments investigating the proposed ambiguity and examining how the convex figure CEs unfold over time with an emphasis on whether they entail recurrent processing. Displays were shown for 100 ms followed by pattern masks after ISIs of 0, 50, or 100 ms. The masking conditions were designed to add noise to recurrent processing and therefore to delay the outcome of processes in which they play a role. In Exp. 1, participants viewed two- and eight-region displays with homogeneous convex regions (homo-convex displays; the putatively ambiguous displays). In Exp. 2, participants viewed putatively unambiguous hetero-convex displays. In Exp. 3, displays and masks were presented to different eyes, thereby delaying mask interference in the thalamus for up to 100 ms.Results and discussionThe results of Exps. 1 and 2 are consistent with the interpretation that recurrent processing is involved in generating the convex figure CEs and resolving the ambiguity of homo-convex displays. The results of Exp. 3 suggested that corticofugal recurrent processing is involved in resolving the ambiguity of homo-convex displays and that cortico-cortical recurrent processes play a role in generating convex figure CEs and these two types of recurrent processes operate in parallel. Our results add to evidence that perceptual organization evolves dynamically and reveal that stimuli that seem unambiguous can be ambiguous during perceptual organization.
Causal association between self-reported fatigue and coronary artery disease: a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Qi Xiaoyi , Wang Shijia , Qiu Liangxian , Chen Xiongbiao , Huang Qianwen , Ouyang Kunfu , Chen Yanjun 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundObservational studies have reported the association between fatigue and coronary artery disease (CAD), but the causal association between fatigue and CAD is unclear.MethodWe conducted a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) study using publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the primary analysis. We performed three complementary methods, including weighted median, MR-Egger regression, and MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier (MR-PRESSO) to evaluate the sensitivity and horizontal pleiotropy of the results.ResultSelf-reported fatigue had a causal effect on coronary artery atherosclerosis (CAA) (OR 1.047, 95%CI 1.033–1.062), myocardial infarction (MI) (OR 1.027 95%CI 1.014–1.039) and coronary heart disease (CHD) (OR 1.037, 95%CI 1.021–1.053). We did not find a significant reverse causality between self-reported fatigue and CAD. Given the heterogeneity revealed by MR-Egger regression, we employed the IVW random effect model. For the examination of fatigue on CHD and the reverse analysis of CAA, and MI on fatigue, the MR-PRESSO test found horizontal pleiotropy. No significant outliers were found.ConclusionThe MR analysis reveals a causal relationship between self-reported fatigue and CAD. The results should be interpreted with caution due to horizontal pleiotropy.
Mediating effect of successful aging on the relationship between psychological resilience and death anxiety among middle-aged and older adults with hypertension
Authors: Wang Meiding , Zhang Lin , Ma Jianing , Sun Hong , Gao Ziyun , Hu Mengya , Liu Haiyang , Guo Leilei 
Published: September 2023

ObjectiveThe aging trend of China's population is severe and successful aging (SA) is imminent. Aging can lead to various chronic diseases, with hypertension being the most common. Due to this lifelong disease, patients suffer from many anxieties, as death anxiety (DA) can be the most prevalent. Studies have exhibited that middle-aged adults approaching the transition to an older state show more pronounced DA than the more senior. It has been suggested that psychological resilience (PR) can reduce DA. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the mediating effect of SA between PR and DA in middle-aged and older adults with hypertension.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was designed. From August to December 2021, 298 middle-aged and older adults with hypertension were selected by multistage cluster random sampling in three districts (Ling he District, Gu ta District, and Tai He District) of Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province. They were surveyed using the demographic questionnaires, the Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale, the Successful Aging Inventory, and the Chinese version of a Likert-type Templer-Death Anxiety Scale. Descriptive analyses, independent sample T-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to describe demographic characteristics among hypertensive patients with different characteristics, respectively. Statistics were considered significant when P &lt; 0.05. Pearson correlation coefficients describe the relationship between PR, SA, and DA. The research model was shaped through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). SPSS PROCESS macro was used to verify the mediation model. A binary logistic regression model was used with DA as the dependent variable.ResultsThe scores for PR, SA, and DA in hypertensive patients are (49.52 ± 14.38) points, (51.22 ± 7.63) points, and (46.67 ± 9.03) points. PR was negatively correlated with DA (r = −0.307, P &lt; 0.01). Moreover, incorporating SA as a mediating variable in PR and DA, SA was positively correlated with PR (r = 0.335, P &lt; 0.01) and DA (r = 0.085, P &gt; 0.05). The direct effect is opposite to the sign of the indirect effect. There is a suppression between PR and DA with a percentage of 20.7%. Good self-assessed health status [0.057 (0.018, 0.183)] may be a protective factor for DA.ConclusionHealthcare providers should improve the PR of middle-aged and older adults with hypertension through interventions that reduce DA and increase the likelihood of SA.
Impact of access to childhood health services on healthy life expectancy of the older population
Authors: Liu Chen , Hou Xiaochun , Wang Qiong , Xu Xinrui , Wu Bingyi , Liu Jun 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundLife course theory provides new perspectives on the impact of early experiences on health in old age, where unfortunate childhood experiences can alter an individual's health trajectory. This study aims to calculate the healthy life expectancy of the older population in China under different childhood experiences, and to explore the influence of childhood medical and health services on the health level of older adults.MethodsDifferences in healthy life expectancy of the older population under different childhood experiences were analyzed using the multi-state life table method to calculate the healthy life expectancy by sex and place of birth, based on the cohort data of Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) from 2008 to 2018.ResultsThe probability of the transition risk from health to non-health gradually increased with age, while the probability of the transition risk from non-health to health decreased with age; In both urban and rural areas, on the probability of the transition risk from health to non-health, the older adults who were able to receive timely medical and health services in childhood were lower than those who failed to receive medical services in time (Z = −5.833, P &lt; 0.05), but the probability of the transition risk from non-health to health was the opposite (Z = −5.334, P &lt; 0.05); The probability of the transition risk from health to death is also higher in older adults who were unable to receive timely medical care in childhood (Z = −5.88, P &lt; 0.05); The healthy life expectancy and its proportion in the remaining life expectancy of older people who received medical and health services in time during childhood were significantly higher than those of their peers (Z = −5.88, P &lt; 0.05).ConclusionsThe lack of medical services in childhood has a negative effect on the health of older adults. The healthy life expectancy and its proportion of remaining life expectancy were higher for rural older adults than for urban older adults under the same health care conditions in childhood; the health benefits of good access to health care environment or conditions in childhood were greater for rural older females.
Implementation determinants and strategies in integration of PrEP into maternal and child health and family planning services: experiences of frontline healthcare workers in Kenya
Authors: Wagner Anjuli D. , Beima-Sofie Kristin , Awuor Mercy , Owade Winnie , Neary Jillian , Dettinger Julia C. , Pintye Jillian , Abuna Felix , Lagat Harison , Weiner Bryan J. , Kohler Pamela , Kinuthia John , John-Stewart Grace , O’Malley Gabrielle 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundDelivery of PrEP to adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and to pregnant women through maternal and child health (MCH) and family planning (FP) clinics is scaling up in Kenya. Evaluation of implementation challenges and strategies is critical to optimize delivery.MethodsWe conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with healthcare workers (HCWs) in MCH and FP clinics offering PrEP in a large implementation project in Kisumu, Kenya. Discussion guides were based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). FGDs were audio recorded and transcribed. Directed content analysis was used to identify implementation challenges and strategies to overcome them.ResultsFifty HCWs from 26 facilities participated in 8 FGDs. HCWs believed PrEP integration was appropriate because it met the needs of AGYW and pregnant women by providing a female-controlled prevention strategy and aligned with policy priorities of elimination of vertical HIV transmission. They were universally accepting of PrEP provision, especially through MCH clinics, noting the relative advantage of this approach because it: (1) enabled high coverage, (2) harmonized PrEP and MCH visits, and (3) minimized stigma compared to PrEP offered through HIV care clinics. However, HCWs noted implementation challenges affecting feasibility and adoption including: (1) increased workload and documentation burden amid workforce shortages, (2) insufficient health care worker knowledge (3) multiple implementing partners with competing priorities (4) drug and documentation form stockouts. HCWs employed various implementation strategies to overcome challenges, including task shifting from nurses to HIV testing providers, patient flow modifications (e.g., fast-tracking PrEP clients to reduce wait times), PrEP demand generation and myth clarification during health talks, provider education, dedicated PrEP delivery rooms, and coordination with adolescent-friendly services. Additional suggested strategies to improve PrEP integration included community education to increase broader PrEP awareness and enable shorter counseling sessions, and task-shifting data entry and client risk assessments.ConclusionsHCWs were enthusiastic about the appropriateness and acceptability of integrating PrEP services into MCH and FP clinics but noted challenges to adoption and feasibility. Strategies to address challenges focused on improving provider time and space constraints, and increasing provider and client knowledge.
Feasibility of neck electrical impedance tomography to monitor upper airway dynamics during sleep
Authors: Piccin Vivien S. , de Camargo Erick D. L. B. , Andrade Rafaela G. S. , Torsani Vinícius , Schorr Fabíola , Sardinha Priscilla S. , Madeiro Fernanda , Genta Pedro R. , Gregório Marcelo G. , de Carvalho Carlos R. R. , Amato Marcelo B. P. , Lorenzi-Filho Geraldo 
Published: September 2023

BackgroundThere is a lack of non-invasive methods for monitoring the upper airway patency during sleep. Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a non-invasive, radiation-free tool that has been validated to monitor lung ventilation. We hypothesized that electrical impedance tomography (EIT) can be used for monitoring upper airway patency during sleep.MethodsSleep was induced in 21 subjects (14 males, age 43 ± 13 years, body mass index 32.0 ± 5.3 kg/m2) with suspected obstructive sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea index: 44 ± 37 events/h, range: 1–122 events/h) using low doses of midazolam. Patients wore a nasal mask attached to a modified CPAP device, allowing variable and controlled degrees of upper airway obstruction. Confirmation of upper airway patency was obtained with direct visualization of the upper airway using nasofibroscopy (n = 6). The changes in total neck impedance and in impedance in four cranio-caudal regions of interest (ROIs) were analyzed.ResultsTotal neck impedance varied in concert with breathing cycles and peaked during expiration in all patients. Group data showed a high cross-correlation between flow and impedance curves (r = −0.817, p &lt; 0.001). Inspiratory peak flow correlated with simultaneous neck impedance (r = 0.866, p &lt; 0.001). There was a high correlation between total neck impedance and velopharynx area (r = 0.884, p &lt; 0.001), and total neck impedance and oropharynx area (r = 0.891, p &lt; 0.001).ConclusionsNeck EIT is sensitive and captures pharyngeal obstruction under various conditions. Neck EIT is a promising method for real-time monitoring of the pharynx during sleep.
N-carbamylglutamate supplementation regulates hindgut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acid contents in Charollais and Small Tail Han crossbred sheep
Authors: Ma Wei , Yuan Meiling , Chang Shuai , Wang Chunqiang 
Published: September 2023

IntroductionThe objective of this study was to investigate the effects of N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) supplementation on the growth performance, hindgut microbiota composition, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) contents in Charollais and Small Tail Han crossbred sheep.MethodsA total of 16 female crossbred mutton sheep (Charollais × Small Tail Han), aged 4 months, with an initial body weight of 30.03 ± 0.08 kg, were utilized in a 60 days experiment. The sheep were divided into two groups based on their initial body weight. Each group consisted of 8 replicates, with each individual sheep considered as a replicate. The dietary treatments comprised a basal diet supplemented with either 0.00% or 0.12% NCG.Results and discussionOur findings indicate that NCG supplementation did not have a significant effect on the growth performance of mutton sheep. However, it did lead to changes in hindgut SCFA contents. Specifically, NCG supplementation increased the content of propanoic acid while decreasing acetic acid and hexanoic acid in the hindgut. Through microbiota analysis using the 16S rRNA technique, we identified Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group and Parasutterella as biomarkers for the hindgut microbiota in mutton sheep fed a diet containing NCG. Further analysis of the microbiota composition revealed that NCG supplementation significantly increased the abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group and Parasutterella, while decreasing unclassified_f_Lachnospiraceae and Lachnoclostridium. Correlation analysis between hindgut SCFA contents and microbiota composition revealed that the abundance of Lachnoclostridium was positively correlated with the contents of acetic acid and hexanoic acid, but negatively correlated with propanoic acid. Additionally, the abundance of Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group and Parasutterella was positively correlated with the content of propanoic acid, while being negatively correlated with acetic acid and hexanoic acid. Based on these findings, we conclude that dietary supplementation of 0.12% NCG can modulate hindgut SCFA contents in mutton sheep by regulating the composition of the hindgut microbiota.
Research on the Dynamic Control Method of CFETR Multi-Purpose Overload Robot
Authors: Zuo Congju , Qin Guodong , Pan Hongtao , Xia Liang , Wang Feng , Zhou Pucheng , Qin Xiaoyan , Shi Ning , Lu Leiji , Zhao Ruijuan , Wan Chenhui , Luo Guangnan , Wang Weihua , Cheng Yong 
Published: September 2023

The CFETR multi-purpose overload robot (CMOR) is a key subsystem of the remote handling system of the China fusion engineering test reactor (CFETR). This paper first establishes the kinematic and dynamic models of CMOR and analyzes the working process in the vacuum chamber. Based on the uncertainty of rigid-flexible coupling, a CMOR adaptive robust sliding mode controller (ARSMC) is designed based on the Hamilton-Jacobi equation to enhance the robustness of the control system. In addition, to compensate the influence of non-geometric factors on position accuracy, an error compensation method is designed. Based on the matrix differentiation method, the CMOR coupling parameter errors are decoupled, and then the gridded workspace principle is used to identify the parameter errors and improve the motion control accuracy. Finally, the CMOR rigid-flexible coupling simulation system is established by ADAMS-MATLAB/Simulink to analyze the dynamic control effect of ARSMC. The simulation results show that the CMOR end position error exceeds 0.1 m for single joint motion. The average value of CMOR end position error is less than 0.025 m after compensation, and the absolute error value is reduced by 4 times, improves the dynamic control accuracy of CMOR.
Design and Mixing Analysis of a Passive Micromixer Based on Curly Baffles
Authors: Juraeva Makhsuda , Kang Dong-Jin 
Published: September 2023

A novel passive micromixer based on curly baffles is proposed and optimized through the signal-to-noise analysis of various design parameters. The mixing performance of the proposed design was evaluated across a wide Reynolds number range, from 0.1 to 80. Through the analysis, the most influential parameter was identified, and its value was found to be constant regardless of the mixing mechanism. The optimized design, refined using the signal-to-noise analysis, demonstrated a significant enhancement of mixing performance, particularly in the low Reynolds number range (Re< 10). The design set obtained at the diffusion dominance range shows the highest degree of mixing (DOM) in the low Reynolds number range of Re< 10, while the design set optimized for the convection dominance range exhibited the least pressure drop across the entire Reynolds number spectrum (Re< 80). The present design approach proved to be a practical tool for identifying the most influential design parameter and achieving excellent mixing and pressure drop characteristics. The enhancement is mainly due to the curvature of the most influential design parameter.
Al2O3-Cu\Ethylene Glycol-Based Magnetohydrodynamic Non-Newtonian Maxwell Hybrid Nanofluid Flow with Suction Effects in a Porous Space: Energy Saving by Solar Radiation
Authors: Jeelani Mdi Begum , Abbas Amir 
Published: September 2023

Nanotechnology is well-known for its versatile and general thermal transport disciplines, which are used in semiconductors, spacecraft, bioengineering, functional electronics, and biosensors. As a result, process optimization has attracted the interest of scientists and technologists. The main aim of the current analysis is to explore the enhancement of energy/heat transfer via the dispersion of cylindrical-shaped nanoparticles of alumina and copper in ethylene glycol as a base fluid using a non-Newtonian Maxwell fluid model. In the current study, the effects of solar radiation, plate suction, and magnetohydrodynamics on a Maxwell hybrid nanofluid are encountered. The flow is induced by linearly stretching a sheet angled at ξ=π/6, embedded in a porous space. The proposed problem is converted into a mathematical structure in terms of partial differential equations and then reduced to ordinary differential equations by using appropriate similarity variables. In the similarity solution, all the curves for the velocity field and temperature distribution remain similar, which means that the symmetry between the graphs for the velocity and temperature remains the same. Therefore, there is a strong correlation between similarity variables and symmetry. The obtained model, in terms of ordinary differential equations, is solved using the built-in numerical solver bvp4c. It is concluded that more nanoparticles in a fluid can make it heat up faster, as they are typically better at conducting heat than the fluid itself. This means that heat is transferred more quickly, raising the temperature of the fluid. However, more nanoparticles can also slow the flow speed of the fluid to control the boundary layer thickness. The temperature field is enhanced by increasing the solar radiation parameter, the magnetic field parameter, and the porous medium parameter at an angle of ξ=π/6, which serves the purpose of including radiation and the Lorentz force. The velocity field is decreased by increasing the values of the buoyancy parameter and the suction parameter effects at an angle of ξ=π/6. The current study can be used in the improvement of the thermal efficiency of nanotechnological devices and in renewable energy sources to save energy in the energy sector. The present results are compared with the published ones, and it is concluded that there is excellent agreement between them, which endorses the validity and accuracy of the current study.
Asociación entre el estado nutricional y función pulmonar en niños sin enfermedad respiratoria
Authors: Castro López Tamara Guadalupe , Cardoso Landivar José David 
Published: September 2023

La desnutrición es una condición caracterizada por la carencia, sobreabundancia o desequilibrio en la ingesta de energía y nutrientes, con efectos significativos en el crecimiento, desarrollo y estatus socioeconómico de las personas, especialmente en madres, bebés y niños. Objetivo. Comparar la asociación entre el estado nutricional y la función pulmonar en niños sin enfermedad respiratoria. Metodología. Se realizó una revisión narrativa de estudios observacionales utilizando bases de datos como Medline (Pubmed), SciELO y Web of Science, empleando un algoritmo de búsqueda que involucró los términos "estado nutricional", "niños" y "enfermedades respiratorias" para posteriomente realizar un análisis crítico entre las dos variables mencionadas en el objetivo a desarrollar en este estudio. Conclusión. Los hallazgos revelaron que la nutrición desempeña un papel fundamental en la salud respiratoria, ya que la desnutrición aumenta el riesgo de infecciones respiratorias, y a su vez, las infecciones pueden llevar a una malnutrición. Además, la desnutrición afecta la función y estructura pulmonar, así como la capacidad del sistema inmunológico para combatir las infecciones. En consecuencia, es crucial asegurar una nutrición adecuada para prevenir y tratar las enfermedades respiratorias en la población infantil.