bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improving the mental health and well-being of healthcare providers using the transcendental meditation technique during the COVID-19 pandemic: A parallel population study
Authors: Nestor Mark S. , Lawson Alec , Fischer Daniel 
Published: March 2023

Introduction
Frontline Healthcare provider (HCP) burnout has dramatically increased due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Hospitals are supporting wellness programs and techniques to reduce burnout including the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique. This study evaluated the use of TM on HCP symptoms of stress, burnout and wellness.

Methods
A total of 65 HCPs at three South Florida hospitals were recruited and instructed in the TM technique which they practiced at home for 20 minutes twice a day. A parallel lifestyle as usual control group was enrolled. Validated measurement scales (Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI-18), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey [MBI-HSS (MP)] and the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well Being Scale (WEMWBS) were administered at baseline, 2 weeks, one and three months.

Results
No significant demographic differences were seen between the 2 groups; however, some baseline scales were higher in the TM group. TM average weekly session completion rate was very high at 83%. After 2-weeks, symptoms of somatization, depression, and anxiety in the TM group had all shown near 45% reductions, while insomnia, emotional exhaustion, and well-being had improved by 33%, 16%, and 11% respectively (P = 0.02 for somatization and < .001 for all others); no significant change was noted in the LAU group. At 3-months, in the TM group, the improvement in symptoms showed a mean reduction of in anxiety, 62%, somatization, 58%, depression, 50%, insomnia, 44%, emotional exhaustion 40%, depersonalization, 42%, and improvement of well-being 18% (for all p<0.004). P-values for between-group differences in change from baseline, based upon repeated measures ANCOVA covarying for baseline measurements, showed significance for all scales at 3-months.

Conclusion
The study confirmed the reported significant and rapid benefits of the practice of TM and demonstrated its positive psychological impact on healthcare workers in a high stress setting.
Liver function indicators in patients with breast cancer before and after detection of hepatic metastases-a retrospective study
Authors: Leser Carmen , Dorffner Georg , Marhold Maximilian , Rutter Anemone , Döger Mert , Singer Christian , König-Castillo Deirdre Maria , Deutschmann Christine , Holzer Iris , König-Castillo Daniel , Gschwantler-Kaulich Daphne 
Published: March 2023

Background
Liver metastases are common in patients with breast cancer, and determining the factors associated with such metastases may improve both their early detection and treatment. Given that liver function protein level changes in these patients have not been determined, the aim of our study was to investigate liver function protein level changes over time, spanning 6 months before the detection of liver metastasis to 12 months after.

Methods
We retrospectively studied 104 patients with hepatic metastasis from breast cancer who were treated at the Departments of Internal Medicine I and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Medical University of Vienna between 1980 and 2019. Data were extracted from patient records.

Results
Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase were significantly elevated when compared to normal range 6 months before the detection of liver metastases (p<0.001) Albumin was decreased (p<0.001). The values of aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase were significantly increased at the time of diagnosis compared to 6 months prior (p<0.001). Patient- and tumor-specific parameters had no influence on these liver function indicators. Elevated aspartate aminotransferase (p = 0.002) and reduced albumin (p = 0.002) levels at the time of diagnosis were associated with shorter overall survival.

Conclusion
Liver function protein levels should be considered as potential indicators when screening for liver metastasis in patients with breast cancer. With the new treatment options available, it could lead to prolonged life.
Patient-specific computational simulation of coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Wu Wei , Panagopoulos Anastasios Nikolaos , Vasa Charu Hasini , Sharzehee Mohammadali , Zhao Shijia , Samant Saurabhi , Oguz Usama M. , Khan Behram , Naser Abdallah , Harmouch Khaled M. , Kassab Ghassan S. , Siddique Aleem , Chatzizisis Yiannis S. 
Published: March 2023

Introduction
Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) is an intervention in patients with extensive obstructive coronary artery disease diagnosed with invasive coronary angiography. Here we present and test a novel application of non-invasive computational assessment of coronary hemodynamics before and after bypass grafting.

Methods and results
We tested the computational CABG platform in n = 2 post-CABG patients. The computationally calculated fractional flow reserve showed high agreement with the angiography-based fractional flow reserve. Furthermore, we performed multiscale computational fluid dynamics simulations of pre- and post-CABG under simulated resting and hyperemic conditions in n = 2 patient-specific anatomies 3D reconstructed from coronary computed tomography angiography. We computationally created different degrees of stenosis in the left anterior descending artery, and we showed that increasing severity of native artery stenosis resulted in augmented flow through the graft and improvement of resting and hyperemic flow in the distal part of the grafted native artery.

Conclusions
We presented a comprehensive patient-specific computational platform that can simulate the hemodynamic conditions before and after CABG and faithfully reproduce the hemodynamic effects of bypass grafting on the native coronary artery flow. Further clinical studies are warranted to validate this preliminary data.
Diagnostic performance of GENEDIA W and ActiveXpress+ COVID-19 antigens tests among symptomatic individuals in Peru and The United Kingdom
Authors: Palomino-Padilla Sandra , Finch Lorna , de Vos Margaretha , Savage Helen , Villa-Castillo Luz , Hayward Gail , Cook Eloïse ,   LSTM diagnostics group,   UTB-IMTAvH group,   CONDOR steering group, Escadafal Camille , Body Richard , Adams Emily R. , Ugarte-Gil Cesar , Cubas-Atienzar Ana I. 
Published: March 2023

Objectives
In order to generate independent performance data regarding accuracy of COVID-19 antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs), prospective diagnostic evaluation studies across multiple sites are required to evaluate their performance in different clinical settings. This report describes the clinical evaluation the GENEDIA W COVID-19 Ag Device (Green Cross Medical Science Corp., Chungbuk, Korea) and the ActiveXpress+ COVID-19 Complete Testing Kit (Edinburgh Genetics Ltd, UK), in two testing sites Peru and the United Kingdom.

Methods
Nasopharyngeal swabs collected from 456 symptomatic patients at primary points of care in Lima, Peru and 610 symptomatic participants at a COVID-19 Drive-Through testing site in Liverpool, England were analyzed by Ag-RDT and compared to RT-PCR. Analytical evaluation of both Ag-RDTs was assessed using serial dilutions of direct culture supernatant of a clinical SARS-CoV-2 isolate from the B.1.1.7 lineage.

Results
For GENEDIA brand, the values of overall sensitivity and specificity were 60.4% [95% CI 52.4–67.9%], and 99.2% [95% CI 97.6–99.7%] respectively; and for Active Xpress+ the overall values of sensitivity and specificity were 66.2% [95% CI 54.0–76.5%], and 99.6% [95% CI 97.9–99.9%] respectively. The analytical limit of detection was determined at 5.0 x 102 pfu/ml what equals to approximately 1.0 x 104 gcn/ml for both Ag-RDTs. The UK cohort had lower median Ct values compared to that of Peru during both evaluations. When split by Ct, both Ag-RDTs had optimum sensitivities at Ct<20 (in Peru; 95% [95% CI 76.4–99.1%] and 100.0% [95% CI 74.1–100.0%] and in the UK; 59.2% [95% CI 44.2–73.0%] and 100.0% [95% CI 15.8–100.0%], for the GENDIA and the ActiveXpress+, respectively).

Conclusions
Whilst the overall clinical sensitivity of the Genedia did not meet WHO minimum performance requirements for rapid immunoassays in either cohort, the ActiveXpress+ did so for the small UK cohort. This study illustrates comparative performance of Ag-RDTs across two global settings and considers the different approaches in evaluation methods.
Safety and efficacy of anti-hyperglycemic agents in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM): Protocol for an overview of systematic reviews based on network meta-analysis
Authors: Chang Zhengping , Xu Jianguo , Qin Yu , Zheng Qingyong , Zhao Liang , Wang Yunfang , Zhang Yan 
Published: March 2023

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has caused a huge clinical and economic burden worldwide. The management strategy of T2DM has been mentioned in many guidelines. However, controversy still exists in the recommendation of anti-hyperglycemic agents. To this end, this protocol has been written according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P). We will make an overview of systematic reviews based-on network meta-analysis firstly that report on safety and efficacy of different category of anti-hyperglycemic agents for T2DM patients. We will identify network meta-analysis by applying a robust and standardized search strategy within Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) will be defined as the primary outcomes. We will assess the methodological quality of included reviews by applying the A MeaSurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR-2) tool, and quality of evidence for all outcomes will be judged by using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). This will provide an accessible narrative synthesis to clinicians, patients, policy makers, and developers of clinical guidelines based on published high-quality network meta-analysis. We will submit our results for peer-review publication and presentation at domestic and international conferences. We will also disseminate our results through established clinical networks and consumer networks, using pamphlet where appropriate. Ethics approval is not required for this overview as we will analysis published network meta-analysis only.Trial registration number:INPLASY202070118.
Rate control deficits during pinch grip and ankle dorsiflexion in early-stage Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Chung Jae Woo , Knight Christopher A. , Bower Abigail E. , Martello Justin P. , Jeka John J. , Burciu Roxana G. 
Published: March 2023

Background
Much of our understanding of the deficits in force control in Parkinson’s disease (PD) relies on findings in the upper extremity. Currently, there is a paucity of data pertaining to the effect of PD on lower limb force control.

Objective
The purpose of this study was to concurrently evaluate upper- and lower-limb force control in early-stage PD and a group of age- and gender-matched healthy controls.

Methods
Twenty individuals with PD and twenty-one healthy older adults participated in this study. Participants performed two visually guided, submaximal (15% of maximum voluntary contractions) isometric force tasks: a pinch grip task and an ankle dorsiflexion task. PD were tested on their more affected side and after overnight withdrawal from antiparkinsonian medication. The tested side in controls was randomized. Differences in force control capacity were assessed by manipulating speed-based and variability-based task parameters.

Results
Compared with controls, PD demonstrated slower rates of force development and force relaxation during the foot task, and a slower rate of relaxation during the hand task. Force variability was similar across groups but greater in the foot than in the hand in both PD and controls. Lower limb rate control deficits were greater in PD with more severe symptoms based on the Hoehn and Yahr stage.

Conclusions
Together, these results provide quantitative evidence of an impaired capacity in PD to produce submaximal and rapid force across multiple effectors. Moreover, results suggest that force control deficits in the lower limb may become more severe with disease progression.
Productivity, Innovation Spillovers, and Mergers: Evidence from a Panel of U.S. Firms
Authors: Entezarkheir Mahdiyeh , Sen Anindya 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
We investigate the impact of mergers and product innovation on labour productivity through a unique panel data set of roughly 2000 publicly traded U.S. manufacturing firms from 1980 to 2003. OLS estimates reveal that mergers interacted with citation-weighted patents are significantly correlated with increases in labour productivity. OLS and IV estimates of citation-weighted patent stocks with respect to firm-specific labour productivity are positive and consistently significant. Further, mergers are significantly correlated with a rise in citation-weighted patent stocks and research and development (R&D) spending. In tandem, our findings suggest that larger firms resulting from mergers spend more on innovation, which results in higher quality patents, and increased labour productivity.
Kähler–Einstein metrics near an isolated log-canonical singularity
Authors: Datar Ved , Fu Xin , Song Jian 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
We construct Kähler–Einstein metrics with negative scalar curvature near an isolated log canonical (non-log terminal) singularity.
Such metrics are complete near the singularity if the underlying space has complex dimension 2. We also establish a stability result for Kähler–Einstein metrics near certain types of isolated log canonical singularity. As application, for complex dimension 2 log canonical singularity, we show that any complete Kähler–Einstein metric of negative scalar curvature near an isolated log canonical (non-log terminal) singularity is smoothly asymptotically close to model Kähler–Einstein metrics from hyperbolic geometry.
The differential role of resistin on invasive liver cancer cells
Authors: Miethe Candace , Raign Kelsie , Zamora Megan , Price Ramona Salcedo 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Objectives
To determine whether inhibition of kinase signaling will suppress resistin-induced liver cancer progression. Resistin is located in monocytes and macrophages of adipose tissue. This adipocytokine is an important link between obesity, inflammation, insulin resistance, and cancer risk. Pathways that resistin is known to be involved include but are not limited to mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK). The ERK pathway promotes cellular proliferation, migration, survival of cancer cells, and tumor progression. The Akt pathway is known to be up-regulated in many cancers including liver cancer.

Methods
Using an in vitro model, HepG2 and SNU-449 liver cancer cells were exposed to resistin ± ERK, Akt, or both inhibitors. The following physiological parameters were assessed: cellular proliferation, ROS, lipogenesis, invasion, MMP, and lactate dehydrogenase activity.

Results
The inhibition of kinase signaling suppressed resistin-induced invasion and lactate dehydrogenase in both cell lines. In addition, in SNU-449 cells, resistin increased proliferation, ROS, and MMP-9 activity. Inhibition of PI3K and ERK decreased phosphorylated Akt and ERK, and pyruvate dehydrogenase.

Conclusions
In this study, we describe the effect of Akt and ERK inhibitors to determine if inhibition suppresses resistin-induced liver cancer progression. Resistin promotes cellular proliferation, ROS, MMP, invasion and LDH activity in SNU-449 liver cancer cells which is differentially mediated by Akt and ERK signaling pathways.
The readily retrievable pool of synaptic vesicles
Authors: Krishnan Sai , Klingauf Jürgen 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
In the CNS communication between neurons occurs at synapses by secretion of neurotransmitter via exocytosis of synaptic vesicles (SVs) at the active zone. Given the limited number of SVs in presynaptic boutons a fast and efficient recycling of exocytosed membrane and proteins by triggered compensatory endocytosis is required to maintain neurotransmission. Thus, pre-synapses feature a unique tight coupling of exo- and endocytosis in time and space resulting in the reformation of SVs with uniform morphology and well-defined molecular composition. This rapid response requires early stages of endocytosis at the peri-active zone to be well choreographed to ensure reformation of SVs with high fidelity. The pre-synapse can address this challenge by a specialized membrane microcompartment, where a pre-sorted and pre-assembled readily retrievable pool (RRetP) of endocytic membrane patches is formed, consisting of the vesicle cargo, presumably bound within a nucleated Clathrin and adaptor complex. This review considers evidence for the RRetP microcompartment to be the primary organizer of presynaptic triggered compensatory endocytosis.
CO2-neutral Process Heating for Carburizing Furnaces – an Ecological Analysis*
Authors: Sankowski L. , Kaiser F. , Schmitz N. , Schwotzer C. , Pfeifer H. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
In order to achieve the goal of a massive reduction of CO2-emissions, fossil fuels have to be substituted. In Germany, continuous carburizing furnaces for high capacities are almost exclusively fired by natural gas due to the lower energy costs. Electrical heating and hydrogen combustion are obvious alternatives. While electrical heating elements are state-of-the-art for these types of furnaces, hydrogen combustion has not been investigated. Furthermore, these two alternatives strongly depend on the specific energy mix, which determines the CO2-emissions. This case study compares different process heat generation options for continuous ring hearth furnaces for carburizing automotive steel parts by a quantitative approach. The investigated alternatives are natural gas/air heating as the reference, electrical heating and hydrogen/air heating. Besides the energy balances, primary energy consumption and resulting CO2-emissions are calculated. Furthermore, possible developments until 2050 are analysed. The results show that both alternative cases have a high potential to decrease CO2-emissions which strongly depend on the development of the energy mix and, therefore, the future expansion of renewable energy sources.
Deep learning accelerated discovery of photonic power dividers
Authors: Alagappan Gandhi , Png Ching Eng 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
This article applies deep learning-accelerated inverse design algorithms and discovers a spectrum of photonic power dividers with exceptional performance metrics despite the simplicity in the design geometry. The deep learning models exhibit high precisions on the order of 10−6 to 10−8 for both TE and TM polarizations of light. These models enable ultrafast search for an empirically describable subspace that simultaneously satisfy compact footprints, ultralow losses, ultrawide bandwidth, and exceptional robustness against fabrication randomness. We demonstrate a spectrum of devices for silicon photonics with programmable power splitting ratios, excess losses as small as 0.14 dB, to the best of our knowledge, the smallest footprints on the scale of sub-λ
2, and low loss bandwidths covering the whole telecommunication spectrum of O, S, E, C, L and U-bands. The robustness of the devices is statistically checked against the fabrication randomness and are numerically verified using the full three-dimensional finite difference time domain calculation.
Nutritional and chemical composition of black velvet tamarind (Dialium guineense Willd) and its influence on animal production: A review
Authors: Ogbuewu Ifeanyichukwu Princewill , Modisaojang-Mojanaga Morwaledi Morategi Cornelia , Mokolopi Baitsholetsi Gloria , Mbajiorgu Christian Anayo 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
The world population is expected to double by 2050, creating a greater demand for animal protein sources. This calls for an increase in the supply of animal-derived foods in order to avoid food scarcity in the future. Non-ruminants, which would have been a panacea to this increased demand for animal-derived foods, have suffered from the rising costs of feed ingredient world-wide. The increase in the prices of conventional feedstuffs have attracted the attention of researchers on the potentials of lesser-known tropical medicinal plants like Dialium guineense Willd (black velvet tamarind) as a feed resource for non-ruminants. The increase in prices of conventional feedstuffs have attracted the attention of researchers on the potentials of lesser-known tropical medicinal plants. One such lesser-known tropical plant that can be used in chicken and livestock production is black velvet tamarind. The plant is found in many parts of the world. It belongs to the family Fabaceae, has high forage yield, resistant to drought and insects, and does not require annual cultivation. The whole seed is moderate in crude protein and fibre but high in carbohydrates. The leaf, on the other hand, is low in carbohydrate, moderate in crude protein, and high in ash. D. guineense stem bark and fruit are excellent source of essential oils, and rich source of dietary fibre, minerals, and vitamins for monogastrics. The plant is endowed with beneficial phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannins, phenols, flavonoids which may serve as natural alternatives to in-feed antibiotics. D. guineense has beneficial pharmacological effects including antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. The purpose of this study was to review the body of knowledge on the nutritional and chemical composition of D. guineense and its impact in animal production.
A comprehensive study on the metallographic preparation of W-Re samples for high resolution electron-based microscopy
Authors: Sommerauer M. , Siller M. , Clemens H. , Maier-Kiener V. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Modern day rotating X-ray anodes utilize a conversion layer comprised of a tungstenrhenium alloy. The thermomechanical loading of this layer during computed tomography operation introduces various signs of fatigue like cracking, roughening, melting, or microstructural changes. Previous work on preparing tungsten samples primarily considered intact thin films or bulk material. This work focuses on the metallographic preparation of the conversion layer surface, which represents the sample edge in polished cross-sectional cuts. The main goals were minimizing preparation artefacts and maximizing obtainable image quality during electron backscatter diffraction. Twelve preparation methods were compared with regard to edge rounding, chipping, and obtainable image quality. Coating the samples with a thin layer of molybdenum and adding a tungsten sheet for edge stabilization led to vastly improved results. Chemical-mechanical polishing of such a sample gave the most balanced set of considered benchmarks.