bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Awareness on Importance of Immune Boosting Diet among Dental Students- A Survey
Authors: Anirudh Bondada Venkata Mani , Gayathri R. , Priya V. Vishnu 
Published: February 2022

Introduction: An immune system is essential for survival. The immune system must be looking for any signs of invasion mostly caused by microorganisms. It plays a vital role in protecting the body against diseases, fighting against foreign bodies and does a remarkable job in defending against microorganisms. A Natural immune booster is an additional immunising agent which helps to increase and sustain the immune response of the body. The aim of this study is to show the awareness level on importance of immune boosting diet among dental students
Materials and methods: A questionnaire was prepared consisting of a total 14 questions and was uploaded through an online survey link. The responses were collected and analysed which were later interpreted as pie charts. A total of 100 undergraduate dental students have taken the survey with consent. The data was analysed by IBM SPSS software where descriptive statistics and chi square test was done, where the results are plotted as graphs.
Results: A total of 100 participants have taken the survey in which 50% were males and 50% were females. A question was asked whether food directly affects our health in which 96% have answered yes. In another question pertaining to how many meals you eat per day. 48% have answered three times and 48% have answered two times. 98% believe that skipping meals affects our immunity/health. 94% believe that Indian spices can boost our immunity. 92% believe green tea is a great antioxidant. 57% have answered that taking natural food along with supplements can boost immunity instead of just taking either one. 48% answered that fat has more calories followed by carbohydrates. 88% believe that Consumption of carbohydrates can lead to increase in triglycerides. 97% believe that consumption of citrus fruits can increase immunity
Conclusion: According to the study, students are aware about the nutrition which is required for maintaining and improving their immunity. As a budding doctor, the students should be aware about the nutrition which is required for maintaining immunity especially during this COVID 19 pandemic.
Evaluation of Hypolipidemic Potential of Aqueous Seed Extract of Moringa oleifera –An In vitro Study
Authors: Jayachandran Sariga , Kavitha S. , Gayathri R. , Vishnupriya V. , Selvaraj J. 
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Various parts of the tree Moringa oleifera Lam belonging to the Moringceae family are used extensively by the Indians as a major food constituent and also as herbal medicine. The dried seeds are used as a hypolipidemic agent for patients who suffer from obesity.
Aim: The study was aimed at evaluation of hypolipidemic potential of aqueous seed extract of Moringa oleifera - an In vitro study.
Materials and Methods: Hypolipidemic potential and antioxidant potential of aqueous seed extract of Moringa oleifera was analysed and compared with the standard drug. The data were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan’s multiple range test and it was used to see the statistical significance among the groups. The results with the p<0.05 level were considered to be statistically significant.
Results: The DPPH radical scavenging activity showed that the plant extract possessed a significant In vitro antioxidant( Ic50=220µg/ml) and hypolipidemic activity.(( Ic50=380µg/ml).
Conclusion: The aqueous seed extract of Moringa oleifera exhibited a significant antioxidant and hypolipidemic potential.
Selectively Growing a Highly Active Interface of Mixed Nb–Rh Oxide/2D Carbon for Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Production
Authors: Gao Yang , Qi Lu , He Feng , Xue Yurui , Li Yuliang 
Published: February 2022

AbstractTailorable electron distribution of the active sites is widely regarded as the key issue to boost the catalytic activity and provide mechanistic insights into the structure–property–performance relationship. Here, a selective metal atom in situ growth strategy to construct highly active interface of mixed metal atom with different NbyRhOx species on sp‐/sp2‐cohybridized graphdiyne (NbyRhOx/GDY) is reported. With this innovative idea implemented, experimental results show that the asymmetric electron distribution and the variation of coordination environment of bimetallic species significantly improve the electrocatalytic activity of NbyRhOx/GDY. Optimal hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity is achieved at the Nb/Rh ratio of 0.23, exhibiting excellent HER activity with the small overpotentials of 14 and 10 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline and neutral electrolytes. The data show the strong potential for real‐system application of such catalysts, which outperform commercial Pt/C (20 wt%). These results shown in this study represent a platform for designing novel catalytic materials by selectively introducing metal atoms on different supports, which can be used as a general method extended to other catalytic systems.
A dynamic by‐production framework for measuring productivity change in the presence of socially responsible and undesirable outputs: Evidence from European food processors
Authors: Engida Tadesse Getacher , Oude Lansink Alfons G. J. M. , Rao Xudong 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIn the past decade, corporate firms have globally increasingly adopted corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices; however, so far less is known about how productivity change in the presence of socially responsible and undesirable output can be evaluated. This paper develops a framework that integrates CSR in a dynamic by‐production technology which captures the transformation of multiple inputs into marketed outputs, socially responsible and undesirable outputs, while accounting for adjustment costs in quasi‐fixed inputs. The paper illustrates the method using a sample of European food and beverage manufacturing firms. The results of the empirical application show that there is a decline in dynamic Luenberger productivity indicators mainly due to technical inefficiency change. Hence, firms should devise strategies to enhance utilization of resources and reduce technical inefficiency. The regression of productivity change indicators on firm‐specific factors showed that more indebted firms experienced a lower growth of the productivity of undesirable output, whereas more profitable firms have a lower productivity growth of variable inputs and a higher growth of the productivity of investments. [EconLit Citations: C02, C14, C6, D24]
Time‐to‐completion for mergers and acquisitions in the food and agribusiness industry
Authors: Adelaja Adesoji O. , Mukhopadhyay Ramyani 
Published: February 2022

AbstractLonger time‐to‐completion (TTC) increases transaction costs, delays deal benefits, and reduces the probability of meeting transaction objectives in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions. This paper conceptualizes the determinants of TTC and estimates their effects in the food and agribusiness industry (FABI) due to the critical importance of TTC to M&A success and the dearth of existing studies on the industry. We confirm that longer TTC increases the likelihood of deal failure. We also find the following: company‐specific factors such as acquirer solvency and leverage reduce TTC; deal complexity factors such as deals involving payment in cash or hard currency conclude faster; deals involving both acquirers and targets from the same country or industry take longer; using legal or financial advisers lengthens TTC; limited transparency or greater risk involved in a deal do not delay financing; deals consumed during a recession take longer; deal size and acquirer history of repeated M&A activities neither accelerate nor delay TTC. Considering the limited existing information on the contributions of various factors to timely deal completion or delays in FABI, our findings are useful in predicting M&A deal duration, costs, and potential for success. [EconLit Citations: G24, G34, L22, L66].
Assessment of liquid–liquid equilibrium data by solving the Gibbs‐Duhem equation
Authors: Fernández Luís , Ortega Juan , Wisniak Jaime 
Published: February 2022

AbstractA methodology, based on the Gibbs‐Duhem equation, is developed to study the thermodynamic consistency of liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) data. The method proposes evaluating the experimental data in two ways: (a) integral‐form, verifying dependences among variables in the same phase, both for temperatures: , and compositions: , and (b) differential‐form, which validates relationships between the compositions of each phase by . A coverage factor κ is introduced in both approaches to define the degree of confidence of the evaluation using a database (T, ) of 50 binary systems to define the limits of inconsistency. With κ = 3, more than 60% of the set is accepted (κ > 3 falls to 38%) providing a guarantee of quality for LLE data. The results show that the consistency test can detect errors in the set {data + model} under study, although the absence of a reference state for the LLE gives the model a limited sensitivity to systematic errors.
The protective impact of telecare on persons with dementia and their caregivers during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Ho‐yin Lai Frank , Wai‐hung Yan Elaine , Ka‐ying Yu Kathy , Tsui Wing Sze , Yee Benjamin K 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundSocial distancing under the COVID‐19 pandemic has restricted access to community services for older adults with neurocognitive disorder (NCD) and their caregivers. Telehealth is a viable alternative to face‐to‐face service delivery. Telephone calls alone, however, may be insufficient. Here, we evaluated whether supplementary telehealth via video‐conferencing platforms could bring additional benefits to care‐recipient with NCD and their spousal caregivers at home.MethodSixty older adults NCD‐and‐caregiver dyads were recruited through an activity centre. The impact of additional services delivered to both care‐recipient and caregiver through video conference (n=30) was compared with telehealth targeted at caregivers by telephone only (n=30), over 4 weeks in a pretest‐posttest design. Interviews and questionnaires were conducted at baseline and study’s end.ResultSupplementary telemedicine had averted the deterioration in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment evident in the telephone‐only group (ηp2=0.50). It also reversed the falling trend in quality of life observed in the telephone only group (QoL‐AD, ηp2=0.23). Varying degrees of improvements in physical and mental health (Short‐Form 36 v2), perceived burden (Zarit Burden Interview Scale) and self‐efficacy (Revised Caregiving Self‐Efficacy Scale) were observed among caregivers in the video‐conferencing group, which were absent in the telephone‐only group (ηp2=0.23–0.51).ConclusionTelehealth by video conference was associated with improved resilience and wellbeing to both people with NCD and their caregivers at home. The benefits were visible already after 4 weeks and unmatched by telephone alone. Video conference as the modus operandi of telehealth beyond the context of pandemic‐related social distancing should be considered.
The experiences of daughters caring for a parent with Alzheimer's disease in the home: A phenomenological study
Authors: DiLeone Christine 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundAn estimated 5.8 million Americans of all ages are living with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) dementia as of 2019, which includes an estimated 5.6 million people age 65 and older. Of the 5.8 million people who have AD dementia, 81% are age 75 or older. Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. By 2050, the number of people age 65 and older with AD dementia may grow to a projected 13.8 million, barring the development of medical breakthroughs to prevent, slow, or cure AD.MethodThe study used purposeful and snowball sampling. 12 daughters participated. Data were collected through in‐depth semi structured interviews. Data were analyzed using a Colaizzi’s (1978) descriptive phenomenological approach.ResultCaregiving years ranged from 1‐10 years with a mean of 5 years. The average duration of caregiving reported by participants was 5 years. Six themes were uncovered: (a) Where Are You When I Need You? (b) Safety First (c) I Don’t Know What to Say or How to Say It (d) They Are Beautiful People, but They Aren’t Trained (e) Letting Go of Who They Were and (f) It Affects Every Area of My Life.ConclusionThe study findings have implications for nursing education, research, and practice, and indicate a need for better support for daughters caring for their parent with AD in the home. They are struggling as they manage their parents’ care.
Larger hippocampal and brainstem volumes in high volume lumbar puncture responders as a predictor of shunt response in normal pressure hydrocephalus
Authors: Lotan Eyal , Damadian Brianna E. , Rusinek Henry , ades‐Aron Benjamin , Golomb James , George Ajax 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundNormal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a treatable cause of dementia, urinary incontinence and gait abnormality which is important to diagnose early as the longer the delay in treatment, the worse the outcome after shunting. Gait improvement following high volume lumbar puncture (HVLP) and continuous lumbar drain (cLD) is widely used to predict shunt responsiveness in patients with suspected NPH. Here, we investigate differences in MRI volumetric and traditional measures between HVLP/cLD responders and non‐responders to identify imaging features that may help predict shunt response.Method82 patients with suspected NPH were studied retrospectively. Gait testing was performed before and immediately/24‐hours/72‐hours after CSF removal. A positive response to HVLP/cLD was defined as improvement in gait following the procedure. The 36 responders (26 men; mean‐age 79.3±6.3) and 46 non‐responders (25 men; mean‐age 77.2±6.1) underwent pre‐procedure 3T brain MRI including 3D‐MPRAGE sequence. 66 subcortical regional volumes were segmented using FreeSurfer. After normalizing for total intracranial volume, two‐tailed student's t‐test and chi‐square test were used to characterize statistical group‐differences. Assessment of Evan’s‐index (EI), callosal‐angle (CA) and disproportionately enlarged subarachnoid space hydrocephalus (DESH) were also made. Multivariable logistic regression models were tested using Akaike information criterion to determine which combination of metrics is most accurate in prediction of HVLP/cLD response.ResultResponders and non‐responders demonstrated no differences in total ventricular and white/gray matter volumes and in EI and DESH. CA (in men) and third and fourth ventricular volumes were decreased; and hippocampal and brainstem volumes were increased in responders (p<0.05). Temporal horns volume correlated with degree of improvement in gait velocity in responders (p=0.0006). The regression model was 76.8% accurate for HVLP/cLD response with AUC of 0.81.ConclusionImaging biomarkers, such as CA, third and fourth ventricular volumes and hippocampal and brainstem volumes, combined in a predictive model, may provide a useful noninvasive diagnostic supportive tool potentially helpful in (a) replacing the need for HVLP/cLD, and (b) predicting the success of shunt surgery. Larger hippocampi and brainstem in responders may reflect decreased rate of other comorbidities that contribute to hippocampal and brainstem atrophy, such as possible concomitant pathology of Alzheimer's disease, in responders as compared to non‐responders.
Rhythms of aging: Determining relationships between rhythm perception, learning, and performance
Authors: Colverson Aaron 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundMany cognitive abilities change with age including how people experience, learn and perform music. Relatively little is known regarding effects of aging upon older adults’ abilities to perceive, learn, and perform rhythms. This is particularly the case for complex rhythms, defined here as multiple overlapping independent rhythms requiring simultaneous synchronization of neural structures across the brain to process. Knowledge of older adults’ ability to learn and perform complex rhythms may lead to interventions to improve cognitive functioning and quality of life in this population, potentially limiting incidence rates of decline into dementia‐related pathways.MethodThis research is divided into three contingent phases: 1) self‐report survey assessments of audience experiences listening to music; 2) in‐lab experiment; and 3) fMRI measurement of neurobehavioral correlates of rhythm processing in the aging brain. Phase 1 will determine self‐report experiences of pleasure and desire to move to music. Phase 2 will compare younger (ages 18‐35) and older (ages 55‐89) adults’ abilities to learn and perform progressively challenging rhythms. A comparative cohort of Latinx participants will be included to determine similarities and differences in rhythm learning and performance from a cross‐cultural perspective. Phase 3 will involve fMRI measurement to determine neurobehavioral correlates of rhythm processing in the aging brain.ResultThis work is prospective. Phase 1 data have been partially collected and analyzed, confirming the hypothesis that in conjunction, complex rhythms induce both pleasure from and desire to move to music. It is further hypothesized that simple rhythms will elicit less pleasure and desire to move in conjunction, as contrasted to complex rhythms. Phase 2 data collection is projected to begin in March 2021, and Phase 3, September 2021.ConclusionThis research will address intergenerational, cross‐disciplinary, and cross‐cultural questions specific to meanings and uses of rhythm in humans’ lives. The intent is to broaden the ethnomusicological and anthropological discourse particular to the consideration of empiricism as reductionist, by incorporating empirical methods into ethnography‐based approaches addressing such topics. Furthermore, the intent of this research is to broaden awareness within empirically‐based research traditions as to the value of participant observation to enrich meaning‐making from quantitative results.
Diagnostic applications of tau PET
Authors: Rabinovici Gil D. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundTau PET is useful for in vivo diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and may be useful in detecting non‐AD tauopathies. Diagnostic applications vary by tracer and AD disease stage.MethodThis presentation will review existing literature on the diagnostic utility of tau PET tracers across the AD continuum and in non‐AD tauopathies. Data from in vitro (autoradiography, brain homogenate binding) and in vivo studies will be reviewed, with an emphasis on large clinical studies and PET‐to‐autopsy correlations.ResultIn vitro and in vivo data suggest that [18]FTP, [18F]MK6240, [18F]GTP‐1, [18F]RO948 and [18F]JNJ‐067 are AD‐selective tau tracers, while [18F]PI2620 and [18F]PM‐PBB3 (also known as [18F]APN‐1607) may bind to non‐AD tauopathies. FTP‐PET quantification shows high accuracy in differentiating AD dementia from other disorders. In a multi‐site study conducted in Lund, Seoul and UCSF (N=719), FTP SUVR in in a temporal meta‐ROI showed 89.9% sensitivity and 90.6% specificity for AD dementia versus non‐AD disorders. Sensitivity in Aβ+ MCI was lower (61.5%) with similar specificity (90.6%). RO948 PET in the Swedish BioFinder‐2 study (N=613) showed similar diagnostic performance, though sensitivity in Aβ+ MCI was lower (37.5%). Data from Mayo Clinic (N=1,281) revealed that Aβ‐PET is more sensitive than FTP‐PET for detecting the AD continuum in cognitively unimpaired (29% of subjects Aβ+ vs. 5% tau+) and MCI (55% Aβ+ vs. 30% tau+), while sensitivity was similar in clinical AD dementia (97% Aβ+ vs. 89% tau+). PET‐to‐autopsy data from the Avid A16 trial, Mayo Clinic and UCSF cohorts show high sensitivity and specificity for FTP‐PET visual reads and quantification in detecting Braak Stages V‐VI, but low sensitivity for Braak Stages I‐IV. Antemortem FTP binding in these cohorts showed poor correlation with non‐AD tau pathology. In a multi‐site German study, [18F]PI‐2620 showed 77% sensitivity and specificity in discriminating Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (N=60) from disease (N=20) and healthy (N=10) controls.ConclusionTau PET is most useful in differentiating AD from other causes of dementia but is less sensitive in detecting preclinical and prodromal AD, which are associated with earlier Braak stages. While most tau PET tracers are AD‐specific, [18F]PI2620 and [18F]PM‐PBB3 warrant further study in non‐AD tauopathies.
Towards clinical application of tau PET: Prognostics
Authors: Cho Hanna , Baek Minsuk , Kim Han‐Kyeol , Lee Jae Hoon , Chun Joong‐Hyun , Ryu Young Hoon , Lyoo Chul Hyoung 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundTau PET is now considered to be a disease stage biomarker for reflecting of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) severity. Recent longitudinal studies showed a progression of cortical tau burden and a predictability of baseline tau PET for further tau accumulation, cortical atrophy, and even clinical progression in the short term. In this study, we sought to investigate long‐term changes in tau burden and predictability of tau PET for long‐term disease progression.MethodIn a cohort with 273 participants who had completed visit 1 (V1) assessments including two PET scans (18F‐florbetaben and 18F‐flortaucipir), MR imaging studies and neuropsychological function tests, 77 Aβ+ participants [9 cognitively unimpaired (CU) and 38 mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 30 AD dementia (DEM)] completed visit 2 (V2) assessments at two years, and subsequently 39 Aβ+ participants (6 CU, 24 MCI, and 9 DEM) completed visit 3 (V3) assessments at about four years (mean 4.6 years) after the V1 study. After correcting for partial volume effect, we measured regional standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) values with cerebellar crus median as a reference and regional volumes, as well.ResultDuring the short‐ (V1 to V2) and long‐term (V1 to V3) periods, tau burden significantly increased in the widespread cortex, particularly in the medial and lateral temporal cortices. In 33 cognitively impaired patients who completed both V2 and V3 scans, DEM patients exhibited higher global cortical tau accumulation rates (V1 to V2 = 0.066 and V2 to V3 = 0.058 SUVR/year) than MCI patients (V1 to V2 = 0.044 and V2 to V3 = 0.051 SUVR/year). Tau burden at V1 correlated strongly with the tau accumulation and volume reduction rates, particularly in the lateral temporal cortex and also correlated with the global cognitive decline rate, particularly in the prefrontal and parietal cortices. Likewise, in both short‐ and long‐term data, tau accumulation rate correlated with the volume reduction and global cognitive decline rates.ConclusionTau accumulated progressively throughout a four year long‐term follow‐up period. Progression of tau pathology, cortical atrophy and cognitive decline can be predicted by baseline tau burden. Tau PET is a useful imaging biomarker in predicting long‐term disease progression.