bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of different exercise testing methods on left ventricular deformation and its correlation with cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in competitive athletes – semi-recumbent ergometer vs. treadmill testing
Authors: Kandels Joscha , Stöbe Stephan , Kogel Alexander , Hepp Pierre , Riepenhof Helge , Droste Jan-Niklas , Stoeggl Thomas , Marshall Robert Percy , Rudolph Ulrike , Laufs Ulrich , Fikenzer Sven , Hagendorff Andreas 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global myocardial work index (GWI) allow early detection of subclinical changes in left ventricular (LV) systolic function. The aim of the study was to investigate the immediate effects of maximum physical exercise by different exercise testing methods on LV deformation parameters in competitive athletes and to analyze their correlation with cardiopulmonary exercise capacity.
Methods
To reach maximum physical exercise, cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was performed by semi-recumbent ergometer in competitive handball players (n = 13) and by treadmill testing in competitive football players (n = 19). Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) indexed to body weight (relative VO2max) was measured in all athletes. Transthoracic echocardiography and blood pressure measurements were performed at rest and five minutes after CPET in all athletes. GLS, GWI and their changes before and after CPET (ΔGLS, ΔGWI) were correlated with (relative) VO2max.
Results
In handball and football players, GLS and GWI did not differ significantly before and after CPET. There were no significant correlations between GLS and relative VO2max, but moderate correlations were found between ΔGWI and relative VO2max in handball (r = 0.631; P = 0.021) and football players (r = 0.592; P = 0.008). Furthermore, handball (46.7 ml/min*kg ± 4.7 ml/min*kg vs. 37.4 ml/min*kg ± 4.2; P = 0.004) and football players (58.3 ml/min*kg ± 3.7 ml/min*kg vs. 49.7 ml/min*kg ± 6.8; P = 0.002) with an increased ΔGWI after CPET showed a significant higher relative VO2max.
Conclusion
Maximum physical exercise has an immediate effect on LV deformation, irrespective of the used testing method. The correlation of relative VO2max with ΔGWI, identifies GWI as an echocardiographic parameter for characterizing the current individual training status of athletes.
Rapid Identification of the Production Year of Pu-erh Raw Tea Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
Authors: Tao Lei , Cai Guangyuan , Cheng Zhandong , Huang Lin , He Xiuwen , Xu Jiang , Yao Mingyin 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
The economic value and consumer acceptance of Pu-erh tea heavily depend on the production year. The present study aims to evaluate the potential of utilizing laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) in conjunction with chemometric models to identify Pu-erh raw tea from various production years. The research utilizes tea leaves from a common source in 2008, 2013, and 2018 as the analytical samples. One hundred spectral datasets were collected for each type of tea, and these datasets are randomly partitioned into cross-validation and test sets in a 3:2 ratio. Subsequently, by utilizing threshold peak finding to extract features from the baseline-corrected LIBS spectrum, 21 spectral datasets are identified and input into LDA, SVM, EML, and KNN classification models for analysis. Results demonstrate that the LDA model achieves superior performance in identifying tea leaf years, attaining a recognition rate of 98.75%. Additionally, the average recognition rate of the other three algorithms in three-classification tasks exceeds 90%. Overall, this study confirms the feasibility and effectiveness of utilizing LIBS in conjunction with machine learning algorithms for discriminating Pu-erh raw tea originating from different production years.
The changes of intrinsic connectivity contrast in young smokers
Authors: Zhou Yang , Xue Ting , Zhuang Xialie , Cheng Yongxin , Wang Juan , Dong Fang , Jia Shaodi , Zhang Fan , Lv Xiaoqi , Wang Hongde , Yuan Kai , Yu Dahua 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Previous studies demonstrated that reward circuit plays an important role in smoking. The differences of functional and structural connectivity were found among several brain regions such as nucleus accumbens, thalamus and frontal lobe. However, few studies focused on functional connectivity in whole-brain voxel level of young smokers. In this study, intrinsic connectivity contrast (ICC) was used to perform voxel-based whole-brain analyses in 55 young smokers and 55 matched non-smokers to identify brain regions with significant group differences. ICC results showed that the connectivity of young smokers in Medial Frontal Cortex (MedFC) showed a significantly lower trend compared with the non-smokers. The seed-based functional connectivityanalysis about MedFC indicated that young smokers showed reduced connectivity between the MedFC and left hippocampus, left amygdala compared to non-smokers. In addition, correlation analysis showed that the ICC of MedFC in young smokers was significantly negatively correlated with Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and Questionnaire on Smoking Urges (QSU). The functional connectivity of the MedFC was significantly negatively correlated with Pack_years. Moreover, the mediation analysis indicated that ICC of MedFC completely mediated FTND and QSU of young smokers. The results suggest that nicotine accumulation may affect the conmunication of the frontal lobe with the whole brain to some extent, leading to changes in smoking cravings. These results demonstrate the importance of whole-brain analysis and highlight the effectiveness of a completely data-driven approach to the problem. The above research also provides in-depth insights into the mechanism of adolescent smoking addiction and related intervention treatment.
Reporting of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Associated Factors Among Nursing Assistants in Long-Term Care Facilities in South Korea
Authors: Kyung MinJung , Lee Soo-Jeong , Wagner Laura M. , Hong OiSaeng 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Nursing assistants are at increased risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs), and reporting of injuries and symptoms can be affected by various factors. The purpose of this study is to describe the characteristic of WRMSD reporting and identify associated factors among nursing assistants in long-term care settings in South Korea.
Methods
This study analyzed cross-sectional survey data from 200 nursing assistants in 19 long-term care facilities in Korea. Multivariable analyses were conducted to examine the association between WRMSD reporting and demographic and job characteristics, physical and psychosocial work factors, WRMSD characteristics, and WRMSD reporting attitudes.
Results
Of the participants, 53% had WRMSD in the past 12 months and only 13.5% of those with WRMSD notified it to their management. Reporting of WRMSDs was more prevalent in nursing assistants who perceived worker safety and health a priority in their management (adjusted OR [aOR] = 4.54; 95% Confidence interval [CI] = 1.54 − 13.36) and witnessed injury reporting of others (aOR = 4.55; 95% CI = 1.15–17.9). Conversely, nursing assistants with negative attitudes toward WRMSD reporting (aOR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.3–0.81) and those who changed job or tasks due to their symptoms (aOR = 0.24; 95% CI = 0.07–0.76) were less likely to report their WRMSDs to managers.
Conclusions
Underreporting of WRMSDs is prevalent among nursing assistants. This study findings suggest that underreporting may be mitigated by good workplace safety climate. Open communication among coworkers and between management and workers are needed, especially for workers with negative reporting attitudes.
Usefulness of a five-tiered clinicopathological classification in predicting treatment-related outcomes and multimodal therapeutic approaches in pituitary adenoma patients: retrospective analysis on a Portuguese cohort of 129 patients from a tertiary pituitary center
Authors: Peixe Carolina , Alexandre Maria Inês , Gomes Ana Raquel , Nobre Ema , Silva Ana Luísa , Oliveira Tiago , López-Presa Dolores , Faria Cláudia C. , Miguens José , Bugalho Maria João , Marques Pedro 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Purpose: Trouillas’ clinicopathological classification is a five-tiered grading system designed to predict recurrence/progression in patients with pituitary adenomas (PAs). We aimed to study its usefulness in predicting PAs that will have a challenging disease course and may require more often complex multimodal and multiple therapeutic approaches.
Methods: Retrospective analysis of 129 patients with PAs operated in our institution between 2001 and 2020 (84 non-clinically functioning PAs, 32 acromegaly, 9 Cushing’s disease, 2 prolactinomas and 2 thyrotropinomas). Grading was based on invasion and proliferation: 1a (non-invasive, non-proliferative; n=59), 1b (non-invasive, proliferative; n=17), 2a (invasive, non-proliferative; n=38), and 2b (invasive, proliferative; n=15).
Results: Of the 129 patients, 68 (52.7%) were females, and the mean age at diagnosis was 53.7±15.4 years. The mean follow-up duration was 93.1±61.8 months. Grade 2b PAs when compared to other grades (2b-2a-1b-1a) had significantly higher rates of persistent tumor remnant within 1-year after operation (93-78-18-30%; p<0.001), active disease at last follow-up (40-27-12-10%; p=0.004), re-operation (27-16-0-5%; p=0.023), irradiation (53-38-12-7; p<0.001), multimodal treatment (67-49-18-25%; p=0.003), multiple treatment (33-27-6-9%; p=0.017). Patients with grade 2b PAs also required a higher mean number of treatments (2.6-2.1-1.2-1.4; p<0.001).
Conclusions: Trouillas’ clinicopathological classification is a suitable grading system to identify PAs that may be more refractory and more often require complex multimodal and multiple therapeutic approaches. Invasive PAs, especially grade 2b tumors, are more likely to need complex treatment approach, including radiotherapy, and may also display higher rates of active disease at last follow-up, despite being submitted to a higher number of treatments.
The effect of the embryo pooling method on the cumulative live birth rate in poor ovarian responders according to the Bologna criteria
Authors: Ge Qiu Lin , Chen Miao Xin , Li Kun Ming , Teng Xiao Ming , Chen Zhi Qin 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Although increasing the oocyte/embryo yield via an accumulation from consecutive stimulation cycles may be an effective approach towards improving IVF outcomes in POR patients, there are no robust data indicating the efficiency of the ‘accumulation scenario’ in women with a poor response undergoing IVF after multiple treatment cycles in a certain period of time.
Methods
This is a retrospective study of 276 infertile women in poor ovarian responders according to the Bologna criteria undergoing IVF between October 2016 to March 2020. Infertile women fulfilling the Bologna criteria in which at least two of the following three features (age ≥ 40 years, a previous POR, an abnormal ovarian reserve test) undergoing IVF were included. They used either embryo pooling (study group, n = 121) or conventional non-pooling strategy (control group, n = 155) at the discretion of the attending physicians. The primary outcome measure was the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) of which the ongoing status had to be achieved within 24 months since ovarian stimulation. LBR was calculated by including the first live birth generated during the 24 months period whether via fresh or FET cycles.
Results
Implantation rate was significantly lower in the study group compared to that in the control group(17.4%vs27.8%, P = 0.002). The CLBR after multiple IVF stimulation cycle and subsequent fresh embryo transfer and /or FET cycles within 24 months follow-up were significantly lower in the study group compared to that in the control group (31.4% (38/121) and 43.2% (67/151), RR = 0.727; 95%CI: 0.528-1.000). The average time from ovarian stimulation to live birth was significantly longer in the study group compared to the control group (20.5(15.4–25.8) months vs.16(14.5–22.6) months respectively, P < 0.001). In Kaplan-Meier analysis, the cumulative incidence of ongoing pregnancy leading to live birth was significantly lower in the study group compared with control group (Log rank test, chi-square = 21.958, P < 0.001). Cox proportional hazard modelling revealed that the embryo pooling (HR = 1.896; 95% CI: (1.114–3.229), P = 0.018), age of women, number of stimulation cycles per woman (HR = 0.900; 95% CI:(0.849–0.955), P < 0.001) were strongly associated with the CLBR after adjusting other confounding factors.
Conclusions
The embryo pooling strategy can achieve significantly lower cumulative live birth rate when compared with the conventional non-pooling strategy. Moreover, the time to live birth was significantly longer in the embryo pooling group than the non-pooling group.
Structured Equilibria for Dynamic Games with Asymmetric Information and Dependent Types
Authors: Heydaribeni Nasimeh , Anastasopoulos Achilleas 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
We consider a dynamic game with asymmetric information where each player observes privately a noisy version of a (hidden) state of the world V, resulting in dependent private observations. We study structured perfect Bayesian equilibria (PBE) that use private beliefs in their strategies as sufficient statistics for summarizing their observation history. The main difficulty in finding the appropriate sufficient statistic (state) for the structured strategies arises from the fact that players need to construct (private) beliefs on other players’ private beliefs on V, which in turn would imply that an infinite hierarchy of beliefs on beliefs needs to be constructed, rendering the problem unsolvable. We show that this is not the case: each player’s belief on other players’ beliefs on V can be characterized by her own belief on V and some appropriately defined public belief. We then specialize this setting to the case of a Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) non-zero-sum game and we characterize linear structured PBE that can be found through a backward/forward algorithm akin to dynamic programming for the standard LQG control problem. Unlike the standard LQG problem, however, some of the required quantities for the Kalman filter are observation-dependent and thus cannot be evaluated off-line through a forward recursion.
Treatability Study on Electroplating Effluent by Electro Coagulation
Authors: subburaj Usha 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Studies have been conducted into the effectiveness of electro coagulation in the treatment of wastewater containing metal ions (Fe, Zn, Cr, Mn, and Cu). Several operational criteria, including Time, pH, Current, Voltage, combination of electrodes like Fe-Fe, Fe-Al, Al-Al &Al-Fe were evaluated in an attempt to enhance removal efficiency. In addition, the increase of voltage 2.5V, 5V, 10V accordingly the current density also varied 0.12A, 0.24A, 0.53A respectively. The amounts recovered from Iron, Manganese, Copper, Zinc was discovered to be substantially faster than Chromium as a result of different removal strategies. The method was effectively used to treat effluent from electroplating, where an optimum decrease of (Fe, Zn, Cr, Mn, Cu) concentrations beneath permissible limits was obtained, just after 60 min. The 100 percent removal efficiency of Zn, Cr, Cu, Mn were obtained by using the Fe-Fe electrode with 10V and 60 minutes. The iron was removed 100 percent in the combination of Al-Al electrode with 10V and 60 minutes. At the increased time interval, the use of iron electrode increases the concentration of Fe, because iron electrode was the sacrificial electrode.
Biomonitoring and Biomathematical Modeling of Health Risks Associated with Dumpsite Grown Vegetables in Lagos State
Authors: Otugboyega Joseph Olusoji , Madu Francis Ugochukwu , Otugboyega Olaide Oluwayemisi , Ojo Ayomipo Martins , Adeyeye Adeleke Joseph , Ajayi John Adekunle 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Conversion of dumpsites to farm lands in several communities is a usual practice in Nigeria. Wastes accumulate heavy metals in a variety of forms. This study assessed the concentration, degrees of contamination and attendant health risk of heavy metals (HMs); using two major indigenous vegetables (Amaranthus viridis and Talinum triangulare) grown on five major dumpsites in Lagos state. After wet digestion, the mean concentrations of the HMs in the vegetable samples were evaluated using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Daily intake of Metals (DIM), tangent hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) biomathematics were employed in the assessment of non-carcinogenic health risk. Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) assessment was used to assess Carcinogenicity. HM concentrations detected fell within the following ranges: (0.59 to 0.37), (0.07 to 1.36), (0.30 to 2.21), (0.00 to 0.03) and (0.00 to 0.04) mg/kg; for zinc (Zn), Lead (Pb), Iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr), respectively. Low to moderate variability and statistically significant differences were seen in the concentration of HMs in vegetables, (p<0.05). At Ikorodu, Pb concentration was above the world Health Organization (WHO) permissible range and has the highest contamination factor. DIM and THQ for Fe and Pb were above threshold values (>1); HI values for the vegetables exceeded WHO normal range (>1), except Abule-Egba samples. These values reveal great health risk from consumption of vegetables from four major sites. ILCR values for 43.3% of the samples were above the WHO (10-6) limits, indicating high risk of carcinogenicity over a life time of exposure.
Is the expansion of the subway network alone capable of improving local air quality? A study case in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Leirião Luciana Ferreira Leite , Gabriel Ana Flávia Barbosa , Alencar Airlane Pereira , Miraglia Simone Georges El Khouri 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
One of the policies adopted to reduce vehicular emissions is subway network expansion. This work fitted interrupted regression models to investigate the effects of the inauguration of subway stations on the mean, trend, and seasonality of the NO, NO2, NOx, and PM10 local concentrations. The regions investigated in the city of São Paulo (Brazil) were Pinheiros, Butantã, and St. Amaro. In Pinheiros, after the inauguration of the subway station, there were downward trends for all pollutants. However, these trends were not significantly different from the trends observed before. In Butantã, only regarding NO, there was a significant reduction and seasonal change after the subway station’s inauguration. In St. Amaro, no trend in the PM10 concentration was noted. The absence of other transportation and land use policies in an integrative way to the subway network expansion may be responsible for the low air quality improvement. This study highlights that the expansion of the subway network must be integrated with other policies to improve local air quality.
Modelling of 12-DoF Parachute - Riser - Payload System Dynamics using Kane’s method
Authors: Iyer Prashant G 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Dynamic behaviour of parachutes is highly complex and characterised by non-linear, time dependant Fluid Structure Interaction, which is computationally intensive and hence not a viable option for incorporating into trajectory simulations. The paper describes modelling of ”Computationally efficient, High Fidelity Multi-Body” Parachute - Elastic Riser - Payload system, capable of simulating trajectory from parachute deployment to parachute separation. The differential equations of motion, including the kinematical and kinetic relationships are derived using the matrix form of Kane’s method, which avoids the typical complexity involved in symbolic derivations, available in published literature.The developed model is validated with published literature results formulated using Newton Euler method and simulation results demonstrating the typical characteristic motion of the system during descend are presented.
Recurrent miscarriage associated with rare anti-PP1Pk antibody: a case series and literature review
Authors: Li Guohua , Du Mengyang , Deng Xujing , Wang Shuping , Du Qiaoling , Bao Shihua 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackground:The anti-PP1Pk antibody is a rare antibody associated with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) in the first trimester. As it is a rare entity, few reports have been published, especially in China. Currently, there is no specific treatment for RSA associated with anti-PP1Pk antibody because it is a naturally occurring antibody. This study aims to report three cases of RSA associated with the anti-PP1Pk antibody to share our experiences with its management.Methods:The three patients' medical information was obtained from the medical records. Intravenous immunoglobulin and/or plasmapheresis was offered to the patients. We also made an extension research of the related literature about RSA associated with anti-PP1Pk antibody.Results:Although patients received intervention, the maternal anti-PP1Pk antibody titer remained stable and did not decrease. There were no live births. We summarized publications about pregnancy in women with anti-PP1Pk antibodies.Conclusions:Early initiation of plasmapheresis in high-risk patients with anti-PP1Pk antibodies should be strongly considered.
Crosstalk between cholesterol and PIP2 in the regulation of Kv7.2/Kv7.3 channels
Authors: Delgado-Ramírez Mayra , López-Serrano Ana Laura , Sánchez-Armass Sergio , Meza Ulises , Rodríguez-Menchaca Aldo A. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
It is well known that Kv7 channels activation is critically dependent on the lipid phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2). Furthermore, we have recently shown that Kv7.2/Kv7.3 channels are finely modulated by cholesterol. In this study, we have investigated the crosstalk between cholesterol and PIP2 in the regulation of Kv7.2/Kv7.3 channels transiently expressed in HEK-293 cells. To evaluate the effect of cholesterol on PIP2-mediated regulation of Kv7.2/Kv7.3 channels, methyl-β-cyclodextrin was acutely applied to decrease the plasma membrane cholesterol level. Currents passing through Kv7.2/Kv7.3 channels in cholesterol-depleted cells were less sensitive to PIP2 dephosphorylation strategies, either via the voltage-sensitive phosphatase Dr-VSP or the rapamycin-translocatable lipid 5-phosphatase system, compared to control cells, suggesting that cholesterol depletion limits the action of these phosphatases, probably by strengthening the interaction between Kv7.2/Kv7.3 channels and PIP2. In contrast, the sensitivity of the Kv7.2/Kv7.3 channels to acute membrane cholesterol depletion by methyl-β-cyclodextrin was not modified in channels with different apparent affinities for PIP2. Taken together, our results reveal a novel functional crosstalk between cholesterol and PIP2 in the regulation of Kv7.2/Kv7.3 channels.