bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low serum zinc concentration is associated with low serum testosterone but not erectile function
Authors: Miyoshi Miho , Tsujimura Akira , Miyoshi Yuto , Uesaka Yuka , Nozaki Taiji , Shirai Masato , Kiuchi Hiroshi , Kobayashi Kazuhiro , Horie Shigeo 
Published: January 2023

ObjectiveTo investigate the relation between serum zinc concentration and several factors, including serum testosterone concentration and the score of questionnaires on sexual function in patients with sexual problems.MethodsThis study comprised 720 men (age, 46.3 [21–83] years) with some kind of sexual problem. Age, scores of the Sexual Health Inventory for Men and the Erection Hardness Score, and endocrinologic data including serum concentrations of testosterone, prostate‐specific antigen, and zinc were included in this study. After serum zinc concentration of the men was classified into 5 groups (<70, 70≤ <80, 80≤ <90, 90≤ <100, ≤100 μg/dl), the relation of each parameter with serum zinc concentration was assessed for a trend analysis. Finally, the relation between serum concentrations of zinc and testosterone as well sexual function evaluated by the scores of the questionnaires was investigated.ResultsOnly serum testosterone concentration (ptrend = 0.028) and serum cortisol concentration (ptrend = 0.003) showed a statistically significant relation to serum zinc concentration by trend analysis. Interestingly, trend analysis between serum concentrations of testosterone and zinc still showed a significant association after adjustment for serum cortisol concentration (ptrend = 0.032). However, no significant association was found in the relation between serum zinc concentration and the scores of the questionnaires after adjustment for serum concentrations of testosterone and cortisol.ConclusionWe clearly showed that after adjustment for serum cortisol concentration by trend analysis, serum testosterone concentration decreased as serum zinc concentration decreased, although sexual symptoms were not associated with this decrease.
Production and carbon emission abatement decisions under different carbon policies: supply chain network equilibrium models with consumers’ low‐carbon awareness
Authors: Yang Yuxiang , Xu Xun 
Published: January 2023

AbstractWith the increasing requirements for environmental protection, authorities have enacted different carbon policies to promote sustainable practices. This study considers the competition among different manufacturers and multiple demand markets in the supply chain network. We examine and compare their equilibrium decision conditions under three common carbon policies: carbon cap, carbon cap‐and‐trade, and carbon tax. Results suggest that under lower carbon caps, manufacturers greatly reduce their carbon emissions by reducing production quantities, which causes a decrease in profits. However, an appropriate carbon cap size can not only motivate manufacturers to reduce carbon emissions but also improve their profits. Under a certain price for carbon credit, the effectiveness of a carbon cap‐and‐trade policy is similar to that of a carbon cap policy, but it has more flexibility. Carbon tax is effective, but it brings more tax burden to manufacturers. We provide implications for companies to optimize their production methods to achieve sustainability.
Comment on “Lubauer J, Lohbauer U, Henrich M, Munz M, Lube T, Belli R. Intricacies involving the evaluation of fracture toughness obtained by the surface‐crack‐in‐flexure method. J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 2022;105(12) 7582–7599”
Authors: Quinn George D. , Salem Jonathan A. , Swab Jeffrey J. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractWe have evaluated over fifty materials using small semi–elliptical controlled surface flaws with the Newman–Raju factors. Although occasionally there were nuances and peculiarities, the results were sound and comparable to other methods. So, despite the lengthy discussions and numerous plots in Lubauer et al.’s paper, what is evident is that if one simply follows the guidelines in ASTM C 1421 and the other standards for most ceramics including the SL200B sintered silicon nitride, and polish off the recommended 4.5 to 5 h material, one will obtain the correct results. Excessive indentation forces and excessive material removal to obtain sharp corner, shallow surface cracks are unwise. Removing more than 5 h should only be done to remove lateral cracks. In such cases the Strobl et al. solutions may be useful. These solutions are an interesting alternative to the reputable Newman–Raju factors, but much more experience and verification is needed before they can be accepted. They and the extension of their analysis for precrack angles χ < 70° need to be vetted in a major engineering journal.
Fixing feedback revision rules in online markets
Authors: Bolton Gary , Breuer Kevin , Greiner Ben , Ockenfels Axel 
Published: January 2023

AbstractFeedback withdrawal mechanisms in online markets aim to facilitate the resolution of conflicts during transactions. Yet, frequently used online feedback withdrawal rules are flawed and may backfire by inviting strategic transaction and feedback behavior. Our laboratory experiment shows how a small change in the design of feedback withdrawal rules, allowing unilateral rather than mutual withdrawal, can both reduce incentives for strategic gaming and improve coordination of expectations. This leads to less trading risk, more cooperation, and higher market efficiency.
Analysis of drying of melon peels using numerical solution of the diffusion equation
Authors: Pereira Maria Tereza Lucena , de Oliveira Farias Vera Solange , da Silva Júnior Aluizio Freire , do Nascimento Lima Amélia Ruth , Vieira Vanessa Bondin , de Medeiros Raquel Alves , da Silva Wilton Pereira , Franco Célia Maria Rufino , de Ataíde Jair Stefanini Pereira 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe objective of this work was to apply a diffusive model to describe the drying of melon peels and use them to analyze the process for various operating conditions. For this, a numerical solution was developed considering shrinkage and diffusivity as a function of the local moisture content. This solution was obtained considering a boundary condition of the third kind. In the present work, drying of melon peels was carried out in an oven (with and without osmotic pretreatment) at temperatures of 60 and 70°C. The osmotic pretreatments were carried out in binary solutions (sucrose and distilled water) with 20 °Brix at a ratio of 1:3 (g/g) (peel to solution). According to the statistical indicators obtained, the model proposed adequately fitted to the experimental data, providing values for the chi‐square and the coefficient of determination of 7.682 × 10−4 to 2.356 × 10−3 and .99953–.99982, respectively. Both pretreatment and temperature influenced the drying parameters of the process.
Solitaire AB stent mechanical embolization combined with catheter contact thrombolysis for acute renal artery embolism: A case report
Authors: Qiu Shixiang , Li Chao , Li Caiqing , Tang Ziyu , Liao Yunguo , Hu Hong , Zhong Liming 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAcute renal artery embolization is a rare disease resulting in interruption of blood flow, resulting in renal tissue ischemia or necrosis, and even developing into acute renal failure. It is urgent to diagnose timely, recanalize the occluded renal artery early, and recover renal blood perfusion. Here, the article reports a case of acute renal artery embolization, which was successfully cured by interventional therapy.
The association of post‐traumatic stress disorder with glomerular filtration rate decline
Authors: Koraishy Farrukh M. , Cohen Beth E. , Scherrer Jeffery F. , Whooley Mary , Hajagos Janos , Robinson‐Cohen Cassianne , Hou Wei 
Published: January 2023

AbstractWhile major depression is known to be associated with glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decline, there is a lack of data on the association of other mental illnesses like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with kidney disease. In 640 adult participants of the Heart and Soul Study (mean baseline age of 66.2 years) with a high prevalence cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diabetes, we examined the association of PTSD with GFR decline over a 5‐year follow‐up. We observed a significantly greater estimated (e) GFR decline over time in those with PTSD compared to those without (2.97 vs. 2.11 ml/min/1.73 m2/year; p = .022). PTSD was associated with 91% (95% CI 12%–225%) higher odds of ‘rapid’ versus ‘mild’ (>3.0 vs. <3.0 ml/min/1.73 m2/per year) eGFR decline. These associations remained consistent despite controlling for demographics, medical comorbidities, other mental disorders and psychiatric medications. In conclusion, our study provides evidence that PTSD is independently associated with GFR decline in middle‐aged adults with a high comorbidity burden. This association needs to be examined in larger cohorts with longer follow‐ups.
Cutaneous presentation of bullous multisystem inflammatory syndrome in a child: A diagnosis not to “MIS‐C”
Authors: El‐Hamdi Nadia S. , Dacy Nicole N. , Brown Shannon C. , Fernandez Martin P. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractMultisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS‐C) is a rare but serious inflammatory response associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. Mucocutaneous findings are often present but remain poorly defined overall, and more precise dermatologic descriptions are not only necessary to better characterize this syndrome, but may also aid in early diagnosis and prevention of severe deterioration or death. We report the case of a 16‐month‐old boy presenting with a diffuse maculopapular eruption, cheilitis, and vesiculobullous lesions of the scrotum, perianal region, and distal lower extremities. Tense bullae of the genitals and lower extremities have not been previously reported in MIS‐C and add to the spectrum of skin findings associated with the disorder.
What makes public employees want to leave their job? A meta‐analysis of turnover intention predictors among public sector employees
Authors: Hur Hyunkang , Abner Gordon 
Published: January 2023

AbstractDespite the growing literature that examines the determinants of turnover intention in the public sector, little effort has been made to systematize the findings from this scholarship. To address this research gap, this study conducts the first meta‐analysis of the literature on turnover intention among public sector employees. The meta‐analysis includes 249 effect sizes from 59 studies concerning the relationship between individual demographic variables, work environment characteristics, job characteristics, HRM practices, work motivation and work attitudes, and factors related to the external environment and turnover intention. It finds that predictors related to public employees' job involvement, job exhaustion, job satisfaction, role ambiguity, affective organizational commitment, and participation in decision making are among the strongest predictors of turnover intention. In contrast, individual demographic predictors show small or negligible effects on turnover intention.
Cryptic, sibling or neither of the two? Integrative species delimitation ofPsylliodesflea beetles with overlapping ranges
Authors: Berrilli Emanuele , Biondi Maurizio , D'Alessandro Paola , Salvi Daniele 
Published: January 2023

AbstractSpecies identification and delimitation are particularly challenging for morphologically similar and geographically overlapping species, such as in the case of Western Palaearctic flea beetle speciesPsylliodes kiesenwetteriKutschera, 1864 andPsylliodes ruffoiLeonardi, 1975. In this study, we implemented an integrative taxonomic approach based on a comprehensive geographic assessment of morphological and genetic variation, including 142 adult specimens from 15 sympatric and allopatric populations. Results of species delimitation methods using the barcode marker COI show that molecular identification and delimitation betweenP. kiesenwetteriandP. ruffoiare straightforward. Single‐locus and multi‐locus phylogenetic analyses indicate these two species have a large genetic divergence and belong to two distinct clades of thePsylliodes gibbosaspecies group. Morphological identification based on qualitative characters shows great differences in identification success depending on the character used. Characters of male and female genitalia perform very well, but can only be assessed on fully sclerified individuals, whereas the colour of antennae was discovered as a new reliable diagnostic character both for teneral and fully sclerified individuals. Morphological identification is particularly sharp when multiple characters are used in combination or when a morphometric approach is performed. In conclusion, despite overall morphological similarity,P. kiesenwetteriandP. ruffoiare not cryptic species neither they are sibling species, as they belong to distinct clades within thegibbosaspecies group, and they can be reliably distinguished by morphological characters. This study substantiates the relevance of a range‐wide assessment of morphological and genetic variation, including individuals from the type locality, and both sympatric and allopatric populations, for taxonomic assessment of morphologically similar species with overlapping ranges.
Dirichlet spectrum for one linear form
Authors: Schleischitz Johannes 
Published: January 2023

AbstractFor , we determine the Dirichlet spectrum in with respect to a linear form and the maximum norm as the entire interval [0, 1]. This natural result improves on the recent work of Beresnevich et al. and complements a subsequent paper by the authors where the analogous result was proved for simultaneous approximation. Various generalizations that can be obtained by similar methods as in the latter paper are indicated. We believe that our results are an important step toward resolving the very open analogous problem for a general system of linear forms.
Spatial Variation in Young Ovine Cortical Bone Properties
Authors: Manandhar Sony , Song Hyunggwi , Moshage Sara G. , Craggette Joshua , Polk John D. , Kersh Mariana E. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Significant effort continues to be made to understand whether differences exist in the structural, compositional, and mechanical properties of cortical bone subjected to different strain modes or magnitudes. We evaluated juvenile sheep femora (age = 4 months) from the anterior and posterior quadrants at three points along the diaphysis as a model system for variability in loading. Micro-CT scans (50 micron) were used to measure cortical thickness and mineral density. Three point bending tests were performed to measure the flexural modulus, strength, and post-yield displacement. There was no difference in cortical thickness or density between anterior or posterior quadrants; however, density was consistently higher in the middle diaphysis. Interestingly, bending modulus and strength were higher in anterior quadrants compared to posterior quadrants. Together, our results suggest that there is a differential spatial response of bone in terms of elastic bending modulus and mechanical strength. The origins of this difference may lie within the variation in ongoing mineralization, in combination with the collagen-rich plexiform structure, and whether this is related to strain mode remains to be explored. These data suggest that in young ovine cortical bone, modulation of strength occurs via potentially complex interactions of both mineral and collagen-components that may be different in regions of bone exposed to variable amounts of strain. Further work is needed to confirm the physiological load state of bone during growth to better elucidate the degree to which these variations are a function of the local mechanical environment.
Deep segmentation of OCTA for evaluation and association of changes of retinal microvasculature with Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Xie Jianyang , Yi Quanyong , Wu Yufei , Zheng Yalin , Liu Yonghuai , Macerollo Antonella , Fu Huazhu , Xu Yanwu , Zhang Jiong , Behera Ardhendu , Fan Chenlei , Frangi Alejandro F , Liu Jiang , Lu Qinkang , Qi Hong , Zhao Yitian 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundOptical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) enables fast and non-invasive high-resolution imaging of retinal microvasculature and is suggested as a potential tool in the early detection of retinal microvascular changes in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). We developed a standardised OCTA analysis framework and compared their extracted parameters among controls and AD/mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in a cross-section study.MethodsWe defined and extracted geometrical parameters of retinal microvasculature at different retinal layers and in the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) from segmented OCTA images obtained using well-validated state-of-the-art deep learning models. We studied these parameters in 158 subjects (62 healthy control, 55 AD and 41 MCI) using logistic regression to determine their potential in predicting the status of our subjects.ResultsIn the AD group, there was a significant decrease in vessel area and length densities in the inner vascular complexes (IVC) compared with controls. The number of vascular bifurcations in AD is also significantly lower than that of healthy people. The MCI group demonstrated a decrease in vascular area, length densities, vascular fractal dimension and the number of bifurcations in both the superficial vascular complexes (SVC) and the IVC compared with controls. A larger vascular tortuosity in the IVC, and a larger roundness of FAZ in the SVC, can also be observed in MCI compared with controls.ConclusionOur study demonstrates the applicability of OCTA for the diagnosis of AD and MCI, and provides a standard tool for future clinical service and research. Biomarkers from retinal OCTA images can provide useful information for clinical decision-making and diagnosis of AD and MCI.
Effects of socioeconomic status on baseline values and outcomes at 24 months in the Treatment of Advanced Glaucoma Study randomised controlled Trial
Authors: King Anthony J , Hudson Jemma , Azuara-Blanco Augusto , Kirwan James F , Goyal Saurabh , Lim Kin Sheng , Maclennan Graeme 
Published: January 2023

Background/aimsSocioeconomic status (SES) is associated with late disease presentation and poorer outcomes. We evaluate the effect of SES on treatment outcomes and report the correlation between SES and baseline characteristics of participants in the Treatment of Advanced Glaucoma Study.MethodsPragmatic multicentre randomised controlled trial. Four hundred and fifty-three patients presenting with advanced open-angle glaucoma in at least one eye (Hodapp-Parrish-Anderson classification). Participants were randomised to either glaucoma drops (medical arm) or trabeculectomy (surgery arm). Clinical characteristics, Quality of life measurement (QoL) and SES defined by the Index of Multiple Deprivation are reported. Subgroup analysis explored treatment effect modifications of SES at 24 months. Correlation between SES and baseline characteristics was tested with the χ2test of association for dichotomous variables and pairwise Pearson’s correlation for continuous variables.ResultsThe mean visual field mean deviation was −17.2 (6.7)dB for the most deprived quintile of participants and −13.0 (5.5) for the least deprived quintile in the index eye. At diagnosis, there was a strong correlation between SES and ethnicity, age, extent of visual field loss and number of visits to opticians prior to diagnosis. At 24 months, there was no evidence that the treatment effect was moderated by SES.ConclusionsIn patients presenting with advanced glaucoma. SES at baseline is correlated with poorer visual function, poorer Visual Function Questionnaire-25 QoL, ethnicity, age and number visits to an optician in the years preceding diagnosis. SES at baseline does not have an effect of the success of treatment at 24 months.Trial registration numberISRCTN56878850.
What predicts drug-free type 2 diabetes remission? Insights from an 8-year general practice service evaluation of a lower carbohydrate diet with weight loss
Authors: Unwin David , Delon Christine , Unwin Jen , Tobin Simon , Taylor Roy 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundType 2 diabetes (T2D) is often regarded as a progressive, lifelong disease requiring an increasing number of drugs. Sustained remission of T2D is now well established, but is not yet routinely practised. Norwood surgery has used a low-carbohydrate programme aiming to achieve remission since 2013.MethodsAdvice on a lower carbohydrate diet and weight loss was offered routinely to people with T2D between 2013 and 2021, in a suburban practice with 9800 patients. Conventional ‘one-to-one’ GP consultations were used, supplemented by group consultations and personal phone calls as necessary. Those interested in participating were computer coded for ongoing audit to compare ‘baseline’ with ‘latest follow-up’ for relevant parameters.ResultsThe cohort who chose the low-carbohydrate approach (n=186) equalled 39% of the practice T2D register. After an average of 33 months median (IQR) weight fell from 97 (84–109) to 86 (76–99) kg, giving a mean (SD) weight loss of −10 (8.9)kg. Median (IQR) HbA1c fell from 63 (54–80) to 46 (42–53) mmol/mol. Remission of diabetes was achieved in 77% with T2D duration less than 1 year, falling to 20% for duration greater than 15 years. Overall, remission was achieved in 51% of the cohort. Mean LDL cholesterol decreased by 0.5 mmol/L, mean triglyceride by 0.9 mmol/L and mean systolic blood pressure by 12 mm Hg. There were major prescribing savings; average Norwood surgery spend was £4.94 per patient per year on drugs for diabetes compared with £11.30 for local practices. In the year ending January 2022, Norwood surgery spent £68 353 per year less than the area average.ConclusionsA practical primary care-based method to achieve remission of T2D is described. A low-carbohydrate diet-based approach was able to achieve major weight loss with substantial health and financial benefit. It resulted in 20% of the entire practice T2D population achieving remission. It appears that T2D duration <1 year represents an important window of opportunity for achieving drug-free remission of diabetes. The approach can also give hope to those with poorly controlled T2D who may not achieve remission, this group had the greatest improvements in diabetic control as represented by HbA1c.