bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High-density transcranial direct current stimulation to improve upper limb motor function following stroke: study protocol for a double-blind randomized clinical trial targeting prefrontal and/or cerebellar cognitive contributions to voluntary motion
Authors: Corominas-Teruel Xavier , Bracco Martina , Fibla Montserrat , Segundo Rosa Maria San , Villalobos-Llaó Marc , Gallea Cecile , Beranger Benoit , Toba Monica , Valero-Cabré Antoni , Colomina Maria Teresa 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Background
Focal brain lesions following a stroke of the middle cerebral artery induce large-scale network disarray which has the potential to impact multiple cognitive and behavioral domains. Over the last 20 years, non-invasive brain neuromodulation via electrical (tCS) stimulation has shown the potential to modulate motor deficits and contribute to recovery. However, weak, inconsistent, or at times heterogeneous outcomes using these techniques have also highlighted the need for novel strategies and the assessment of their efficacy in ad hoc controlled trials.
Methods
We here present a double-blind, sham-controlled, single-center, randomized clinical trial involving participants having suffered a unilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke resulting in motor paralysis of the contralateral upper limb who will undergo a 10-days regime (5 days a week for 2 consecutive weeks) of a newly designed high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) protocol. Clinical scale-based evaluations (e.g., Fugl Meyer, NIHSS, etc.), computer-based cognitive assessments (visuo-motor adaptation and AX-CPT attention tasks), and electroencephalography (resting-state and task-evoked EEG) will be carried out at 3 time-points: I) Baseline, II) Post-tDCS, and III) Follow-up. The study consists of a four-arm trial comparing the impact on motor recovery of three active anodal tDCS conditions: ipsilesional DLPFC tDCS, contralesional cerebellar tDCS or combined DLPFC + contralesional cerebellar tDCS, and a sham tDCS intervention. In every stimulation session, participants will receive 20 min of high-density tDCS stimulation (HD-tDCS) (up to 063mA/\({\text{c}\text{m}}^{2}\)) with a \({{\pi }\text{c}\text{m}}^{2}\) electrodes. Electrode-scalp positioning relative to the cortical surface (anodes and cathodes) and intensities are based on a biophysical optimization model of current distribution ensuring a 0.25V/m impact at each of the two chosen targets.
Discussion
Our trial will gauge the therapeutic potential of accumulative sessions of HD-tDCS to improve upper limb motor and cognitive dysfunctions presented by middle cerebral artery stroke patients. In parallel, we aim at characterizing changes in electroencephalographic (EEG) activity as biomarkers of clinical effects and identify possible interactions between the tDCS impact and motor outcomes. Our work will enrich our mechanistic understanding on prefrontal and cerebellar contributions to motor function and its rehabilitation following brain damage.
Trial registration
This study has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05329818)
Accumulation of biomass and nutrients in soybeans in an area of medium and high potential in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil
Authors: Freitas Natasha Gomes , de Moraes Milton Ferreira , BINDE DAISY RICKLI , Castro Dione Aparecido , de Melo Suzana Pereira , Pascoalino João Augusto Lopes , Feletti Rômulo Caique Gonçalves 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Aims
Substantial variation exists in the patterns of uptake and remobilization of nutrients by modern varieties of soybeans. Furthermore, the fertilization programs in Brazil are often outdated. Thus, the objective of this work was to analyze these patterns in a soybean cultivar with indeterminate growth habit in two areas, one with moderate and the other with high productivity.
Methods
We analyzed the dry matter, macro and micronutrients in soybeans (Glycine max) divided into leaves, stems, pods and seeds, in six growth stages. The plants came from established farming areas with the same cultivation parameters and indeterminate growth habit. The data were used for descriptive analysis in function dry matter production, uptake of nutrients, harvest index, and nutrient uptake and remobilization rate.
Results
We found a greater uptake of nutrients in the older cultivars, mainly involving nitrogen, potassium and sulfur. And the nutrient removal, denoted by the harvest index, varied according to the location, with a trend of export of greater quantities of nitrogen and phosphorus. These increases were positively related with the dry matter content but not with the nutrient export. The rate of uptake and remobilization of nutrients changed with demand for nutrients throughout the crop cycle.
Conclusions
For sustainable production of soybeans in Brazil, we suggest revision of the fertilization manuals to increase the average yield. Agronomic practices also need to assure adequate availability of nutrients during the reproductive growth stage.
Consanguineous couples’ experiences and views regarding expanded carrier screening: Barriers and facilitators in the decision-making process
Authors: Hout Sanne van der , Woudstra Anke , Dondorp Wybo , Sallevelt Suzanne , de Die-Smulders Christine , Paulussen Aimee , de Wert Guido 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Expanded carrier screening (ECS) entails a screening offer for multiple recessive disorders at the same time, and allows testing of individuals or couples regardless of ancestry or geographic origin. Children ofconsanguineous couples have a higher-than-average risk of manifesting autosomal recessive disorders. This study aims to contribute to the responsible implementation of ECS for consanguineous couples. Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with consanguineous couples who had recently participated in Whole Exome Sequencing (WES)-based ECS at Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC+), the Netherlands. The test offered at MUMC+ covers a large number of disease-related genes (~2,000), including severe, relatively mild, early- and late-onset disorders. Respondents were interviewed about their views on, and experiences with participation in WES-based ECS. Overall, participation was experienced as worthwhile: it enabled respondents to make informed choices with regard to family planning as well as to take on the presumed parental responsibility to deliver their children as healthy as possible. Furthermore, our findings indicate that (1) true consent for having this test requires timely information about the possible implications of a positive test result for specific categories of findings, as well as about the success rates of the available reproductive options; (2) the clinical geneticist has an important task in correcting misconceptions about the kind of risk related to consanguinity; (3) more research is needed to explore what type of genetic risk information is considered ‘meaningful’ by participants and actually contributes to reproductive decision-making.
Emergence of flexible kesterite solar cells: progress and perspectives
Authors: Li Jianjun , Sun Kaiwen , Yuan Xiaojie , Huang Jialiang , Green Martin , Hao Xiaojing 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Flexible photovoltaics have been and will be increasingly in demand in modern and future society in various applications. Searching for ideal flexible photovoltaic technologies that can perfectly meet these expanding demands has long been an active branch of photovoltaic research. Flexible kesterite Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) has emerged in recent years owning to its great potential to be an abundant, low-cost, stable, and high-efficiency “green” photovoltaic material that can be widely deployed with the lowest detrimental environmental impact. Here, we review the recent progress with flexible kesterite solar cells in thin-film and monograin technologies, discuss the key challenges and strategies associated with the flexible substrates, and finally provide future perspectives on further pushing the efficiency toward commercial-competitive levels.
C-S-H nucleation pathway from atomistic simulations
Authors: Aretxabaleta Xabier , López-Zorrilla Jon , Etxebarria Iñigo , Manzano Hegoi 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
C-S-H nucleation is a crucial step during cement hydration and determines to a great extent the rheology, microstructure, and properties of the cement paste. Recent evidences indicate that the C-S-H nucleation is non-classical, yet detailed information on the nucleation steps is still missing. In this work, we use atomistic simulation methods, specifically DFT, evolutionary algorithms (EA), and Molecular Dynamics, to investigate the structure and formation of C-S-H prenucleation clusters (PNCs) from the ions in solution, and then discuss a possible formation pathway for the C-S-H nucleation. Our simulations indicate that even for small sizes the most stable clusters feature C-S-H structural motifs, and we identified a C4S4H2 cluster candidate to be the C-S-H basic building block. We suggest a formation path in which small clusters formed by silicate dimers merge into large elongated aggregates. Upon dehydration, the C-S-H basic building blocks can be formed within the aggregates, and eventually crystallize.
Title: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the severity of newly diagnosed cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in southern Brazil
Authors: Ferrazzo Kívia Linhares , Danesi Cristiane Cademartori , Martins Nara Maria Beck , Antoniazzi Raquel Pippi 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Responsible for more than 360 thousand deaths in the world, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is an important public health problem worldwide, being more prevalent in men, smokers and alcoholics, aged over 40 years and with lower socioeconomic status. Some of these risk factors are also common to an increased risk of developing severe cases of COVID-19, the pandemic that has been affecting the world since the beginning of 2020. The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the HNSCC diagnosis and severity of the disease in a hospital in southern Brazil.
Methods
All new cases diagnosed with HNSCC from March 11, 2019 to March 10, 2020 (pre-COVID-19 group) and all new cases diagnosed from March 11, 2010 to March 10, 2021 (COVID-19 group) were included. Data were obtained through histopathological reports and medical records.
Results
There was no difference in the number of new diagnoses in the COVID-19 group (n = 45) compared to the pre-COVID-19 group (n = 47). Patients' sociodemographic profile, time between diagnosis and treatment, and overall TNM staging were similar. However, the clinical N classification was more severe in the COVID-19 group (p = 0.021). Patients diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic were 4.05 times more likely to have more severe lymph node involvement (95% CI:1.62–10.12).
Conclusion
Although there was no reduction in the new diagnosis of HNSCC in the period of greater restriction of COVID-19 pandemic, the diagnosed cases showed lymph node metastasis in more advanced stages.
Chinese Herbal Medicine as an Adjunctive Therapy Ameliorated the Incidence of Hypotension in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Chen Ying-Jung , Liu Chun-Ting , Chin Chieh-Ying , Lee Wen-Chin , Tsai Fuu-Jen , Cheng Ben-Chung , Chen Yung-Hsiang , Tsai Ming-Yen 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Hypotension during hemodialysis (HD) is a common complication of dialytic patients that imposes an enormous burden on the healthcare system. A few studies show that Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) treatments confer a protective effect on hypotension in HD patients, but the long-term impact remains unclear. This study investigated the adjuvant therapy of CHM in HD patients to prevent the risk of hypotension in HD patients. We extracted data from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Registry for Catastrophic Illness Patient Database (NHI_RCIPD) from 2008 and 2018 and analyzed them using multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models. After 1:1 frequency-matching by age, index date, HD duration, monthly income, residential area, and medical comorbidities, 3820 HD patients who were using CHM and 3820 who were not using CHM were identified as CHM users and CHM non-users, respectively. The occurrence of taking vasopressors was identified as intradialytic hypotension (IDH). The Kaplan–Meier method was used to estimate the cumulative incidence curves of vasopressors of the subjects during the follow-up period. During 12 years of follow-up, 1710 CHM users and 1927 CHM non-users were prescribed vasopressors, representing IDH incidence rates of 119.8 and 246.2 per 1000 person-years, respectively. CHM users had significantly lower IDH risk compared with CHM non-users (adjusted HR = 0.51; 95%CI = 0.48, 0.55). A markedly predominant effect was observed in those receiving CHM for more than 180 days (adjusted HR = 0.43; 95%CI = 0.39, 0.48). Lower vasopressor use and IDH risk among HD patients correlated with the use of CHM treatments. Further studies about specific CHM modalities or medications for IDH are still needed.
Incidence and predictors of recurrent in-stent restenosis after drug-coated balloon angioplasty from central China
Authors: Liu Chuangxing , Meng Zhe , Sun Yunlong , Wang Xijia , Li Mingxuan , Gu Heping 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background: The efficacy and safety of DCB in treating ISR lesions has been widely validated, and the recurrence of ISR (RISR) emerges as one of the primary causes of recurrence of acute coronary syndrome that results in the requirement for multiple revascularizations.
Methods: This retrospective study enrolled patients with ISR lesions who were successfully treated by DCB in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from September 2018 to September 2021. All patients during rehospitalization received the coronary angiography. According to whether there was RISR, the enrolled patients were divided into recurrent in-stent restenosis group (RISR group) and non-recurrent in-stent restenosis group (non-RISR group). The comparison of the basic data, laboratory parameters and the quantitative coronary angiography data at operation and follow-up between the two groups was caried out. According to RISR, multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on the statistically significant baseline variables for further analysis.
Results: A total of 136 patients (147 ISR lesions) were enrolled in the study, 35.4% (52 lesions) developed RISR at follow-up, which lasted 13.6±8.5 months in average.Multivariate analysis revealed the independent association of high RDW, high % DS before procedure and the use of cutting balloon with RISR after DCB angioplasty(P<0.05).
Conclusion: At least 1/3 of patients with ISR lesions develop RISR after DCB dilation. High baseline RDW, high %DS before procedure, and the use of cutting balloon were identified as independent predictors of RISR.
Physico-chemical, thermo-physical and energy consumption analyzes of carrot chips produced by osmotic drying method
Authors: Taşova Muhammed 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
In present study, effects of drying methods (continuous and intermittent) and pre-treatments (dipping into 25% salt, 25% vinegar, 25% (salt + vinegar), 10% Pyracantha coccinea and 10% Malus floribunda solutions) on drying models, effective diffusion, dimensional traits, rehydration, color, shrinkage ratio, energy consumption, thermo-physical and some drying properties of carrot slices were investigated. Among the thin-layer drying models, Wang-Sing model yielded the best and Rational 1-parameter 2 model yielded the weakest estimations. Effective diffusion values varied between 2.96–9.12x10− 9 m2 s− 1 in continuous drying method and between 2.61–5.59x10− 9 m2 s− 1 in intermittent drying method. The greatest rehydration capacities were observed in samples dipped into 25% vinegar (82.88%) and 10% Malus floribunda (82.13%) solutions. The greatest volume change (92.60%) was observed in samples dipped into 10% Pyracantha coccinea solution and dried by continuous drying method. The lowest volume change (72.92%) was observed in control samples of intermittent drying method. In terms of chroma values, the samples dried by intermittent drying after dipping into 25% salt and 25% vinegar solutions yielded the closest values to the fresh samples. As an alternative drying method in terms of chroma value, dipping into 10% Pyracantha coccinea solution could also be selected in intermittent drying method. The greatest evaporation latent heat (ELH) value (10.62 kWh) was observed in samples dipped into 25% vinegar solution and the lowest ELH value (5.63 kWh) was observed in samples dipped into 25% (salt + vinegar) solution.
Air quality forecast model based on DBN-BP
Authors: Feng Mohan , Zhao Yongli 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Ambient air quality is inseparable from people's production and life and social development, so the atmospheric environment monitoring system plays an irreplaceable role in environmental protection and pollution control. Use the real-time updated monitoring information to grasp the air pollution situation, evaluate and predict the environmental quality, and provide technical support for early warning decision-making, scientific air quality control, and regional joint prevention and control work. The existing air quality numerical prediction system WRF-CMAQ, due to the uncertainty of the pollution source emission inventory and the inability to fully quantify the physical and chemical changes in the atmospheric transmission, leads to deviations in the air quality forecast values. In view of the current situation of the existing air quality forecasting system, a deep belief network (DBN) model is proposed to mine the relationship between the predicted value of the numerical forecasting model and the measured value in the area, and establish an air quality forecasting model based on deep learning. The model utilizes the historical monitoring data of multiple Chinese monitoring stations in the study area and the corresponding meteorological forecast data, and fully considers the temporal variation and spatial distribution characteristics of atmospheric pollutant concentrations. During the forecast period, the forecast value of pollutant concentration at any site in the region is corrected to improve the effectiveness of the air quality forecast model.
Optimal dwelling time for ureteral stents placed for passive dilation after impassable ureteroscopy
Authors: Yildiz Ali Kaan , Bayraktar Arif , Kacan Turgay , Keseroglu Bugra Bilge , Ozgur Berat Cem , Doluoglu Omer Gokhan , Karakan Tolga 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the dwelling time for a ureteral stent placed for passive dilation after impassable ureteroscopy and success and complications.
Methods
A retrospective evaluation was made of patients who underwent stent placement after impassable ureteroscopy and a repeat ureteroscopy due to kidney stones. A total of 161 patients were included in the study between 2015–2022. Demographic, clinical, preoperative, and perioperative data were collected. Logistic regression analyses were performed on the data showing a significant difference in the univariate analyses performed to determine the predictive factors of ureteroscopy after the stent dwelling period in terms of stone-free status and perioperative complications.
Results
Stone-free status was achieved in 110 (68.3%) of 161 patients, and perioperative complications were observed in 41 (25.4%). Factors that affected the stone-free status were determined as the dwelling time and the S-ReSC score, while factors affecting perioperative complications were the stent dwelling time and the operation time. The stone-free rates were observed to increase from 46.4% in the first 2 weeks to 72.9% after the 2nd week, an increase of 1.5-fold. Perioperative complications were determined at the rate of 17.5% during the first 5 weeks and increased 2.1-fold to 37.5% after the 5th week.
Conclusion
It can be recommended that great care is taken during the stent dwelling period and ureteroscopy should be performed within 5 weeks (14–35 days) but no earlier than 2 weeks, so as not to affect the success of the procedure.
Predictors of blisters in patients with acute compartment syndrome
Authors: Long Yubin , Wang Tao , Yang Shuo , Wu Limei , Ma Leilei , Dong Qi , Li Yiran , Guo Junfei , Hou Zhiyong 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Introduction: Blisters, one of the most common complications of orthopedic trauma, can result in surgery delay and increase the risk of infection. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for blisters in patients with acute compartment syndrome (ACS).
Methods: We gathered data from two hospitals' 206 ACS patients from November 2013 to January 2021. Patients were divided into the blister group (BG) and the control group (CG) according to whether they had blisters or not. We used univariate analysis, logistic regression analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to determine the demographics, comorbidities, and admission laboratory tests.
Results: In our research, the incidence of blisters was 21.8 % (45 of 206). Univariate analysis showed that numerous factors were releated to the formation of blisters. According to logistic regression analysis, patients who developed ACS in the winter or spring (p = 0.007, OR = 2.690, 95% CI (1.308 to 5.534), patients who received a referral (p = 0.009, OR = 4.235, 95% CI (1.432 to 12.527), and patients with higher PLR (p = 0.036, OR = 1.005, 95% CI (1.000 to 1.009) were independent risk factors for blisters. In addition, a history of drinking (p = 0.039, OR = 0.027, 95% CI (0.046 to 0.927)) represented a protective factor for the formation of blisters in these patients. ROC curve analysis revealed that 138.17 was the cut-off value of PLR to predict the blister. Furthermore, the combination of seasonal factors, PLR, and referral had the highest diagnostic accuracy.
Conclusions: Our findings identified seasonal factors, referral, and patients with higher PLR as independent risk factors while a history of drinking as protective factor for blisters in ACS patients, allowing us to individualize the evaluation of the risk of blisters in order to perform early targeted therapies.
Characterization of poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) PBAT co- polyesters degrading bacteria from farmland soil of Xinjiang
Authors: kanwal Aqsa , Zhang Min , sharaf Faisal 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The use of poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) has increased widely but PBAT-degrading bacteria have rarely been studied. During this study, we used farm soil (Shaanxi (yuan Jia cun)) to isolate and identify PBAT-degrading bacteria (Bacillus strains). We then accessed the effect of growth factors on PBAT degradation as well as the lipase activity of PBAT-degrading bacteria. The serial dilution method was used to isolate the PBAT-degrading microbes from the farm soil of Xinjiang. Microbial colonies were spread and streaked many times to get pure colonies. Xin-A and Xin-B were gram-positive bacteria. Lipase production of these strains was studied using para nitrophenyl palmitate as a substrate which showed that both bacteria were lipase producing and the lipase production of Xin-B (14 U/mL) was superior to Xin-A (11.7 U/mL) degrading almost 13.7% PBAT in 14 days. These results provide technical support for the highly efficient degradation of PBAT in the environment.