bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of supportive and minimalist footwear on standing balance and walking stability in older women
Authors: Azhar Ameer Nor , Munteanu Shannon , Menz Hylton 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background

Footwear has been shown to influence balance and is an important consideration in relation to the prevention of falls. However, it remains unclear as to what type of footwear is most beneficial for balance in older people: sturdy, supportive footwear, or minimalist footwear to maximise plantar sensory input. The objectives of this study were therefore to compare standing balance and walking stability in older women wearing these two footwear styles, and to investigate participants’ perceptions in relation to comfort, ease of use and fit.

Methods

Older women (n = 20) aged 66 to 82 years (mean 73.4, SD 3.9) performed a series of laboratory tests of standing balance (eyes open and closed on floor and foam rubber mat, near tandem standing) and walking stability (treadmill, level and irregular surface) using a wearable sensor motion analysis system. Participants were tested wearing supportive footwear (incorporating design features to improve balance) and minimalist footwear. Perceptions of the footwear were documented using structured questionnaires.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in balance performance between the supportive and minimalist footwear. However, trends were observed which indicated that standing balance was better in the minimalist footwear, while walking stability was better in the supportive footwear. Participants perceived the supportive footwear to be significantly more attractive to self and others, easier to put on and off but heavier compared to the minimalist footwear. Overall comfort was similar between the footwear conditions, although the supportive footwear was reported to be significantly more comfortable in the heel, arch height, heel cup, heel width and forefoot width regions. Eighteen participants (90%) reported that they felt more stable in the supportive footwear and 17 (85%) reported that they would consider wearing them to reduce their risk of falling.

Conclusion

Balance performance and walking stability were similar in supportive footwear designed to reduce the risk of falling and minimalist footwear, although participants preferred the supportive footwear in relation to aesthetics, ease of use, comfort and perceived stability. Prospective studies are now required to ascertain the longer-term advantages and disadvantages of these footwear styles on comfort and stability in older people.
Trial registration: Australian New Zeland Clinical Trials Registry. ACTRN12622001257752p, 20/9/2022 (prospectively registered). https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=384670&isReview=true
Interplay between Anomalous Metallic and Superconducting States Tuned by Disorder in Thin Flakes of Kagome Metal KV3Sb5
Authors: Mu Gang , Wang Teng , Yu Aobo , Mao Yuanlv , Fang Yuqiang , Zhang Han , Liu Yixin , Guo Wang , Li Wei , Peng Wei , Di Zengfeng , Huang Fuqiang , Jiang Da 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Recently V-based Kagome metal attracted intense attention due to the coexistence of topological nontrivial electronic structure, charge density wave, and superconductivity. Here we report the fabrication and physical investigations of the single-crystalline thin flakes of the Kagome metal KV3Sb5. For the samples with the effective superconducting thickness of 7±2 nm, the Berezinskii-Kosterlitz-Thouless type behavior is revealed by the temperature dependent resistance and voltage-current data, which indicates the presence of two-dimensional superconductivity. Meanwhile, the temperature-independent resistance is observed in a wide field region, supplying the hallmark of the anomalous metallic state. Importantly, by comparing the interplay between the superconducting and anomalous metallic states of two samples with different levels of disorder, a striking competitive evolution with the external field between these two states is uncovered.
Prenatal maternal inactivated COVID-19 vaccination: the maternal and neonatal outcomes, a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Cai Yaoyao , Wu Shenghao , Zhang Sisi , Xu Xinxin , Xie Fengfeng , Gao Lijun , Xia Weiting 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
There are very few data on the maternal and neonatal safety effects of inactivated COVID-19 vaccines. Several studies have reported the safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination during pregnancy, with no adverse effect on maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, data on the safety of prenatal vaccination are scarce. Therefore, more relevant data are needed to inform maternal, pregnancy, and infant outcomes.
Objective
To evaluate the prenatal maternal inactivated COVID-19 vaccination and the impact on maternal and neonatal outcomes.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study among women who delivered between January and June 2022 at the first affiliated hospital of wenzhou medical university. Those who have completed at least one dose of inactivated vaccine before or during pregnancy were included in “vaccinated group”, and those who were not vaccinated were included in “unvaccinated group”, the maternal, pregnancy and neonatal outcomes were evaluated. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance the baseline parameters of the two groups.
Results
A total of 1926 women were enrolled in this study, 827 (42.94%) women were prenatally vaccinated, and 1099 (57.06%) unvaccinated. The gestational week of delivery were slightly smaller in the vaccinated group, 38.77 ± 1.83 weeks in the vaccinated group and 39.01 ± 1.45 weeks in the unvaccinated group. There was a higher rate of overall preterm delivery in the vaccinated group (aOR 1.638, 95% CI 1.108–2.422; p = 0.013; Table 3, Fig. 2), however, the probability of delivery before 34 weeks and before 32 weeks (early preterm delivery) were similar (p > 0.05). A total of 2009 infants were born, 851 in the vaccinated group and 1158 in the unvaccinated group. There were similar neonatal outcomes in the two groups.
Conclusions
Although we found a slightly smaller gestational week of delivery and a possible increased rate of late preterm birth in the vaccination group, there was no difference in mean neonatal weight, incidence of low birth weight infants and other neonatal adverse complications. Meanwhile, there was no difference in pregnancy and maternal outcomes between the two groups.
β-mannanase supplemented in diets saved 85 kcal of metabolizable energy/kg, supporting performance, improving nutrient digestibility and fecal microbiome in pigs
Authors: Genova Jansller Luiz , Azevedo Liliana Bury , Rupolo Paulo Evaristo , Cordeiro Flávia Beatriz Carvalho , Carvalho Silvana Teixeira , Kipper Marcos , Vilela Hellen Lazarino Oliveira , Careli Pedro Silva , Rennó Luciana Navajas , Carvalho Paulo Levi Oliveira , Faveri Juliana Canto 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

The effects of β-mannanase supplementation in metabolizable energy (ME)-reduced diets containing xylanase-phytase were investigated on performance, fecal score, carcass attributes, blood profile, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), digesta passage rate, and fecal microbiome in grower pigs (n = 40, 26.09 ± 0.96 kg) randomly assigned within 4 treatments: a control diet containing isolated phytase and xylanase valued at 40 kcal of ME/kg (CD0), CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 30 kcal of ME/kg) (CD70), CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 45 kcal of ME/kg) (CD85), and CD0 + β-mannanase (0.3 g/kg valued at 60 kcal of ME/kg) (CD100). Performance was supported. Pigs with CD100 had lower serum IL-1β concentration, and lower IL-10 was observed in pigs on CD0 than those fed β-mannanase. Greater ATTD was evidenced in animals fed CD85 or CD100. Pigs with CD85 had higher alpha diversity richness but lower Firmicutes:Bacteroidota ratio. Acidaminococcaceae and Ruminococcaceae were more abundant in pigs fed CD0, but lower for Christensenellaceae NSJ-63 and NSJ-63 sp014384805. Pigs in CD85 showed higher abundance of Bacteroidaceae and Prevotella, and lower of Streptococcaceae and Streptococcus. In conclusion, supplementation of β-mannanase in diets containing xylanase-phytase saved 85 kcal of ME/kg by supporting performance, improving nutrient digestibility and fecal microbiome in grower pigs.
Concentrations of PCDDs/PCDFs and dl-PCBs in ambient air in Hanoi, Vietnam, between 2017 and 2021, and health risk assessment
Authors: Sau Trinh Khac 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
The concentrations and seasonal and temporal variations in polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxins/polychlorodibenzofurans (PCDDs/PCDFs) and dioxin-like polychlorobiphenyls (dl-PCBs) in ambient air from November 2017 to September 2021 were investigated via passive air samplers containing polyurethane foam (PUF) discs in three residential areas, including the Cau Giay (CG) urban, Quang Minh (QM) industrial-suburban and Ba Vi (BV) rural areas, Hanoi, Vietnam. The average total toxic equivalent value of PCDDs/PCDFs and dl-PCBs (∑TEQD/F&dl) in the QM area was the highest (506 fg/PUF/day) and ranged from 317 to 752 fg/PUF/day. Compared to that in the QM area, the average ∑TEQD/F&dl value was lower in the CG area (372 to 615 fg/PUF/day; average: 482 fg/PUF/day), and the lowest value occurred in the BV area, ranging from 121 to 414 fg/PUF/day with an average of 231 fg/PUF/day. Air pollution involving PCDDs/PCDFs and dl-PCBs increased during spring and winter. The highest seasonal average ∑TEQD/F&dl value in the CG area was 534 fg/PUF/day in winter. The highest average ∑TEQD/F&dl values in the QM and BV areas were 653 and 280 fg/PUF/day, respectively, in spring. The average daily dose (ADD) values of PCDDs/PCDFs and dl-PCBs through inhalation for adults in the three areas were minimal (9.9 to 96.2 fg TEQ/kg body weight (BW)/day) and below the 10% threshold of the tolerable daily intake (TDI) value recommended by the World Health Organization (100 to 400 fg TEQ/kg BW/day). For children, the ADD values (15.1 to 243.6 fg TEQ/kg BW/day) were less than and within of 10% of the recommended TDI value.
Bird community effects on avian malaria infections: Dilution or amplification?
Authors: Tamayo-Quintero Juliana , Puente Josué Martínez de la , San-José Miriam , González-Quevedo Catalina , Rivera-Gutierrez Héctor F. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
The human modification of the landscape and subsequent changes in biotic variables, such as community structure and composition, can alter host-parasite dynamics. In addition, a beneficial effect of wildlife diversity on zoonotic disease risk and transmission has been proposed. Here, we studied the effects of the bird community on the prevalence and richness of lineages of avian haemosporidian in the highly diverse area of Antioquia, Colombia. We sampled birds in three human-altered areas (dams) and molecularly determined the prevalence and identity of haemosporidia blood parasites infecting birds. We analyzed the relationships of the bird community on the prevalence and richness of lineages of avian haemosporidian through generalized linear models. According to our results, there were non-significant effects of dominance and richness of the bird community on the prevalence of avian parasites. However, we found evidence of an amplification effect given the associations between host dominance and the number of infections (logarithmic relationship) and expected Haemoproteus and Plasmodium richness (exponential relationships). Our results suggest a fundamental role of host community dominance on the dynamics of parasite infections. Parasite amplification patterns shown in this study could be explained by the abundance of competent hosts for haemosporidian infection. Our results largely contribute to the knowledge of blood parasite diversity infecting wild birds in a poorly studied area of South America.
The intention of utilization and experience toward traditional Chinese medicine among breast cancer patients in the early and late stages: A qualitative study
Authors: Chen Kai-wei , Chung Kuo-piao , Hsu Chung-hua 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
In Taiwan, breast cancer patients usually take conventional medicine and traditional Chinese medicine simultaneously. The utilization of traditional Chinese medicine among breast cancer patients at various stages has not been examined. This study aims to compare the intention of utilization and experience toward traditional Chinese medicine among early- and late-stage breast cancer patients.
Method
This qualitative research collected data from breast cancer patients through focus groups interview by convenience sampling. Conducted in 2 branches of Taipei City Hospital, a public hospital managed by the Taipei City government. Breast cancer patients > 20 years old and had used TCM for breast cancer therapy for at least three months were included in the interview. A semi-structured interview guide was adopted in each focus group interview. In the following data analysis, stages I and II were considered early-stage, and stages III and IV were late-stage. For analyzing the data and reporting the results, we used qualitative content analysis as the approach for data analysis, assisted by NVivo 12. Categories and subcategories were identified through content analysis.
Results
12 and 7 early- and late-stage breast cancer patients were included in this study, respectively. The side effects were the main intention of utilizing traditional Chinese medicine. Improving side effects and constitution was the main benefit for patients in both stages. Early-stage breast cancer patients used traditional Chinese medicine to prevent recurrence or metastasis. Late-stage breast cancer patients responded more frequently to using traditional Chinese medicine due to the side effects of western medicine. However, some of their symptoms were not fully relieved.
Conclusions
Breast cancer staging may influence the intention and utilization of traditional Chinese medicine. Health policymakers should consider the results of this research and the evidence-based illustrations to establish guidelines for integrating traditional Chinese medicine among various stages of breast cancer to improve the outcome and quality of care for cancer patients.
Secular trends in mental health problems among young people in Norway: A review and meta-analysis
Authors: Potrebny Thomas , Nilsen Sondre Aasen , Bakken Anders , Soest Tilmann , Kvaløy Kirsti , Samdal Oddrun , Sivertsen Børge , Aase Heidi , Bang Lasse 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
There is a growing concern that the mental health of recent generations of youth is deteriorating, yet the etiology of these secular changes is not fully understood. We aimed to review the evidence on trends in mental health problems among young people in Norway. Seven large-scale repeated cross-sectional studies were included in this study, comprising of 35 cross-sectional data collections between 1992 and 2019, with a total sample of 776,606 young people. Our study found a clear increase in mental health problems among young females in Norway over the past few decades, while the trends were less marked for males. The proportion of individuals scoring above the problematic symptom score threshold increased on average by 11.2% (range 2.2–21.9%) for females and 5.2% (range − 0.9–11.1%) for males, based on data from the individual studies. The results from a meta-regression analysis showed that across all surveys, mean symptom scores increased by 17% (95% CI 12 to 21%) among females and 5% (95% CI 1 to 9%) among males from 1992 to 2019. Overall, mental health problems have increased continually since the early 1990s among young people, especially among young females. The cause of these secular changes remain unknown but likely reflect the interplay of several factors at the individual and societal level. Protocol registration: Open science framework, November 8, 2021 (https://osf.io/g7w3v).
Associated factors and macular vascular perfusion change for diabetic macular edema at early stage: a cross-sectional observational study
Authors: Shen Han , Gu Qinyuan , Cheng Ruiwen , Cheng Peng , Liu Qinghuai 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background

Associated factors and microvasculature change of clinically significant macular edema (CSME) were fully studied. This study was intended to investigate the associated factors and macular vascular perfusion change for diabetic macular edema (DME) at the early stage.

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional observational study. A total of 255 eyes of 128 diabetes mellitus patients were enrolled and underwent a serious of ophthalmological and systemic evaluation. Early DME was characterized by central subfoveal thickness (CST) value between 250µm and 325µm, detectable inner retinal layers, intact ellipsoid zone and external limiting membrane. While non-DME was characterized by CST <250µm with normal retinal morphology and structure.

Results

Treatment method, age, body mass index, diabetic duration, HbA1c level, total cholesterol, triglycerides, blood urea, blood pressure, proteinuria, serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were not associated with early DME development. Male, HbA1c level ≤ 8% and cumulative insulin dosage ≥ 30000U were significantly associated with higher risk of early DME. Vessel density, microaneurysms number and hyperreflective foci number were not significantly different between non-DME and early DME patients. Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area ≤ 0.3mm2 was significantly associated with higher risk of early DME. Correlation analysis results showed that FAZ area was not correlated with cumulative insulin dosage, age, or diabetes duration.

Conclusions

Higher cumulative insulin dosage, lower HbA1c level and male could be risk factors for early DME development. Compared to non-DME, early DME showed a significant FAZ area reduction. Our results highlighted the important role of insulin in early DME development, indicated an early worsen of DME with tight blood glucose control and suggested an intervention of insulin-related retinal impairment.
Construction and validation of a differentiation scoring system for Spotted fever and Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome
Authors: Yang Hui , Hu Cheng-Yang , Sun Jie , Zhang Dan , Zhang Xia-Qing , Shao Miao-Hui , Hu Jie-Ying , Lyu Yong , Shen Yong , Xu Peng-Peng 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Objective Logistic regression model combined with receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC) was used to construct a clinical differential score model between spotted fever (SF) and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS). To provide a reference for clinical preliminary identification.
Methods Patients with SF and SFTS from May 2017 to may 2021 in Lu'an secondary hospitals and above were selected, and all patients were confirmed by laboratory. The basic data, epidemic history, clinical data and laboratory data of patients with the two diseases were collected for comparative analysis, logistic regression analysis was conducted to find out the independent influencing factors, and Logistic regression model and scoring system were established. At the same time, the Roc curve was drawn to determine the optimal cut-off value and the area under the ROC curve.
Results Multifactorial logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of rash (OR=153.294,,95%CI:7.800-3012.492), elevated C-reactive protein (>10 mg/L) (OR=47.095,95%CI: 3.161-701.735), and normal platelets (>100×109/L ) (OR=37.727, 95% CI: 2.492-571.185) were risk factors for the development of spotted fever, and a score of 1 was assigned to each of these three factors, resulting in a total score of 3 for this scoring system. When the cutoff value was 1, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the modeling group was 0.985, the sensitivity was 90.7%, the specificity was 98.8%, the P value in the Hosmer-Lemeshow test was 0.881, and the Kappa value in the consistency test was 0.910. The AUC of validation group was 0.985, the sensitivity was 94.7%, the specificity was 97.1%, the P value of Hosmer-Lemeshow test was 0.977, and the Kappa value of consistency test was 0.918.
Conclusion The differential scoring system constructed based on the presence of rash, elevated C-reactive protein, and normal platelets can provide a reference basis for the differentiation of SF from SFTS and has some application value.
Numerical simulation study on drifts and salt deposition in the huge salt water cooling tower group
Authors: LIANG Ziqi , LI Lujun , YANG Jie , ZHU Qing 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
A three-dimensional salt water cooling tower numerical simulation model was established to study the characteristics of drifts and salt deposition in nuclear power project. In the model, site meteorological data, design parameters of cooling tower, general layout, environmental characteristics, are considered. The results show that when the natural wind direction is parallel to the tower row, two hot air streams are superimposed on each other as one, which is beneficial to reducing the influence of drifts and salt deposition on the environment. The drifts with particle size greater than 550µm cannot escape from the outlet of cooling towers. In normal operation of 6 nuclear power units, the salt deposition will not cause serious damage to plants.
Biocrusts significantly affect the bioavailability and ecological risk of heavy metals in gold mine tailings
Authors: Fan Jin , Bu Chongfeng , Qi Yangzhou , Zhou Wenjuan , Wang Chun , Wei Yingxin , Siddique Kadambot H. M. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Aims Biocrust is an important living cover in ecologically fragile regions and an indicator of multiple heavy metal contamination. Could it be a new pathway for remediating heavy metal pollution in mine, and what are the possible repair effects and mechanisms? This study investigated the role of biocrusts in enriching or degrading heavy metals in gold mine tailings and analysed the migration, transformation mechanisms and potential toxic effects of heavy metals in underlying biocrusts.
Methods The speciation of heavy metals in the underlying layer of biocrusts (moss crusts, mixed crusts (moss + algal) and algal crusts) were analysed using the BCR sequential extraction procedure. The risk assessment code (RAC) and potential ecological risk index (Er) were used to evaluate the effects of biocrusts on the ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in soil.
Results Our results showed that 1) well-developed biocrusts had a strong ability to enrich heavy metals and heavy metals accumulate on the surface; 2) biocrust growth promoted the transfer of heavy metal speciation from an inert to an active form in the underlying layer, improving their bioavailability; 3) Spearman correlation and redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that the total amount of heavy metals was the driving factor of soil heavy metal translocation, with varying influences of soil pH, cationic exchange capacity (CEC) and organic matter content (SOM); 4) the comprehensive potential ecological risk index suggested that the heavy metals in gold tailings at the strong risk levels, mainly As seriously exceeded the standard (about seven times of the background value), and biocrusts could reduce the Er of heavy metals in the underlying layer. The RAC results indicated low mobility and bioavailability of heavy metals, associated with low ecological risk.
ConclusionsAs the ‘skin’ of soil, biocrusts could protect soil from heavy metal contamination. However, biocrust development enhanced the bioavailability of heavy metals and increased ecological risk. With low risk levels in gold tailings as the heavy metals were mainly found in the residual fraction, were stable and not easily transported. Further exploration of the influencing mechanism of biocrusts on heavy metals will help validate their use in mine restoration processes.