bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vestibular syndromes after COVID‐19 vaccination: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Gerb Johannes , Becker‐Bense Sandra , Zwergal Andreas , Huppert Doreen 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackground and purposeDizziness and vertigo are common symptoms after COVID‐19‐vaccination. We aimed to prospectively evaluate objective central or peripheral vestibular function in patients with dizziness, vertigo, and postural symptoms that started or worsened after COVID‐19‐vaccination.MethodsOf 4137 patients who presented between January 2021 and April 2022 at the German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, we identified 72 patients (mean age = 47 years) with enduring vestibular symptoms following COVID‐19 vaccination. All underwent medical history‐taking, and neurological and neuro‐otological workup with bithermal caloric test, video head‐impulse test, orthoptics, and audiometry. Diagnoses were based on international criteria. The distribution of diagnoses was compared to a cohort of 39,964 patients seen before the COVID‐19 pandemic.ResultsSymptom onset was within the first 4 weeks postvaccination. The most prevalent diagnoses were somatoform vestibular disorders (34.7%), vestibular migraine (19.4%), and overlap syndromes of both (18.1%). These disorders were significantly overrepresented compared to the prepandemic control cohort. Thirty‐six percent of patients with somatoform complaints reported a positive history of depressive or anxiety disorders. Nine patients presented with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, three with acute unilateral vestibulopathy, and seven with different entities (vestibular paroxysmia, Ménière disease, polyneuropathy, ocular muscular paresis). Causally related central vestibular deficits were lacking. Novel peripheral vestibular deficits were found in four patients.ConclusionsNewly induced persistent vestibular deficits following COVID‐19 vaccination were rare. The predominant causes of prolonged vestibular complaints were somatoform vestibular disorders and vestibular migraine, possibly triggered or aggravated by stress‐related circumstances due to the COVID‐19 pandemic or vaccination. An increase of other central or peripheral vestibular syndromes after COVID‐19 vaccination was not observed.
A qualitative formative evaluation of a patient facing intervention to improve care transitions for older people moving from hospital to home
Authors: Shannon Rosie , Baxter Ruth , Hardicre Natasha , Mills Thomas , Murray Jenni , Lawton Rebecca , O'Hara Jane K. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe Partners at Care Transitions (PACTs) intervention was developed to support older people's involvement in hospital to improve outcomes at home. A booklet, question card, record sheet, induction leaflet, and patient‐friendly discharge letter support patients to be more involved in their health and wellbeing, medications, activities of daily living and post‐discharge care. We aimed to assess intervention acceptability, identify implementation tools, and further develop the intervention.MethodsThis was a qualitative formative evaluation involving three wards from one hospital. We recruited 25 patients aged 75 years and older. Ward staff supported intervention delivery. Data were collected in wards and patients' homes, through semi‐structured interviews, observation, and documentary analysis. Data were analysed inductively and iteratively with findings sorted according to the research aims.ResultsPatients and staff felt there was a need for, and understood the purpose of, the PACT intervention. Most patients read the booklet but other components were variably used. Implementation challenges included time, awareness, and balancing intervention benefits against risks. Changes to the intervention and implementation included clarifying the booklet's messages, simplifying the discharge letter to reduce staff burden, and using prompts and handouts to promote awareness.ConclusionThe PACT intervention offers a promising new way to improve care transitions for older people by supporting patient involvement in their care. After further development of the intervention and implementation package, it will undergo further testing.Patient or Public ContributionThis study regularly consulted a panel representing the local patient community, who supported the development of this intervention and its implementation.
Thermal conductivity of several geopolymer composites and discussion of their formulation
Authors: Samuel Devon M. , Inumerable Nathaniel , Stumpf Andrew , Kriven Waltraud M. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractWe fabricated 50.8‐mm cube‐shaped samples of metakaolin geopolymer (GP) composites with various additives chosen to increase or decrease the thermal conductivity of the composite. Sodium‐based GP (NaGP) and GP composites were more conductive than potassium‐based GP (KGP) composites for a given phase fraction of filler, but the maximum amount of filler phase was higher with KGP due to the lower viscosity of the KGP mixture. The highest thermal conductivity achieved was about 8 W/m K by KGP + 44‐vol% graphite flakes, whereas NaGP + 27 vol% graphite flakes reached 4.7 W/m K. The thermal conductivity was strongly affected by the moisture remaining in the composite, which appeared to have a greater effect at higher filler content. On the other hand, the size of alumina particles (6, 40, or 120 μm) did not have any apparent effect on thermal conductivity for the same filler content. Larger particles caused less change in mixture viscosity, though, thus permitting incorporation of higher filler phase fractions and therefore higher thermal conductivity.
Study on chemical compositions, antioxidants and intracellular anti‐melanogenic activities of varieties of Ganoderma lucidum in Vietnam
Authors: Ha Hue Thi , Tran‐Van Hieu , Van Tran Thuan , Nguyen Hanh Thi Ngoc , Phan Dao Thi Anh 
Published: September 2022

SummaryHere, five selected Vietnam Ganoderma lucidum varieties were first prepared and examined for total polyphenol content (TPC) and antioxidant activities (including DPPH, FRAP and tyrosinase inhibition). All the selected extracts exhibited significant bioactivities, which could be attributed to their large TPC values with Pearson statistical coefficients r ~ 0.8 (P < 0.10). Ethanol extract of Korean lingzhi (E‐KR), the largest bioactive one, was identified with 16 bioactive compounds using FT‐IR and HPLC‐MS, including proteins, glucosides, triterpenoids, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids and polysaccharides, which could prove the excellent bioactivities of the extract. The E‐KR (40 μg mL−1) examined on B16 melanoma cells did not cause any significant toxicity to cell viability and exhibited significant inhibition towards melanin formation (29.34%) and reduction of intracellular tyrosinase activity (21.93%), which was not a significant difference to the positive control of arbutin (P > 0.05). These results promise a great potential of G. lucidum in skincare cosmetics for therapy treatment of skin pigmentation.
UK NEQAS Haematology pilot scheme: Reticulocyte haemoglobin content quantitation
Authors: Mordue Kathryn E. , Hector Yvonne , Thomas D. Wayne , De La Salle Barbara J. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIntroductionEstablished parameters for the investigation of suspected iron deficiency have recognized limitations that affect their sensitivity and specificity. Reticulocyte haemoglobin content (RHC) is an early biomarker of iron deficiency or restriction, which also demonstrates response to iron therapy. RHC parameters are offered on all major automated haematology analysers. There is no external quality assessment (EQA) for RHC in the UK, restricting its wider clinical application. The UK National External Quality Assessment Scheme (UKNEQAS) for Haematology has completed a pilot study on the use of stabilized blood for RHC EQA.MethodsBlood was obtained from two JAK2 V617F mutation‐positive, polycythaemia vera patients undergoing regular venesection, and from a healthy volunteer donor. Aliquots of each donation were distributed to users of Abbott, Horiba, Siemens and Sysmex automated analysers for RHC analysis on days 1, 3, 5 and 7.ResultsResults were received from 20 laboratories using four different platforms. The daily mean and standard deviation (SD) were calculated for each aliquot, by day of analysis and platform. With RHC there was no significant within‐platform difference (p > 0.5) between testing days, although there were statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) between different platforms. The greatest difference was seen between Abbott MCHr and Horiba RhCc (−6.14 ± 1.25 pg). Despite inter‐platform differences, it was possible to define iron deficient, borderline, and normal cut‐offs to classify 95% of results correctly.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate that it is possible to provide RHC EQA material using UKNEQAS standard procedures. The results are clinically relevant but indicate a requirement for inter‐user comparison.
Dynamics of T follicular helper cells in patients with rheumatic diseases and subsequent antibody responses in a three‐dose immunization regimen of CoronaVac
Authors: Zhou Xingyu , Wang Yifan , Huang Bo , Feng Ruiling , Zhou Xinyao , Li Chun , Zhang Xia , Shao Miao , Gan Yuzhou , Jin Yuebo , An Yuan , Xiao Xian , Wang Shiyang , Liu Qinghong , Cheng Gong , Zhu Fengyunzhi , Zhang Kai , Wang Naidi , Xing Xiaoyan , Li Ru , Li Yuhui , Liu Yisi , Lu Dan , Sun Xiaolin , Li Zhanguo , Liu Yudong , He Jing 
Published: September 2022

AbstractGiven increased acceptance of the CoronaVac, there is an unmet need to assess the safety and immunogenic changes of CoronaVac in patients with rheumatic diseases (RD). Here we comprehensively analysed humoral and cellular responses in patient with RD after a three‐dose immunization regimen of CoronaVac. RD patients with stable condition and/or low disease activity (n = 40) or healthy controls (n = 40) were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive CoronaVac (Sinovac). The prevalence of anti‐receptor binding domain (RBD) antibodies and neutralizing antibodies was similar between healthy control (HC) and RD patients after the second and the third vaccination. However, the titers of anti‐RBD IgG and neutralizing antibodies were significantly lower in RD patients compared to HCs (p < 0.05), which was associated with an impaired T follicular helper (Tfh) cell response. Among RD patients, those who generated an antibody response displayed a significantly higher Tfh cells compared to those who failed after the first and the second vaccination (p < 0.05). Interestingly, subjects with a negative serological response displayed a similar Tfh memory response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2)‐derived peptides as their anti‐RBD IgG positive counterpart, and all (4/4) of the non‐responders in HCs, and 62.5% (5/8) of the non‐responders in patients with RD displayed a positive serological response following the third dose. No serious adverse events were observed. In conclusion, our findings support SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination in patients with RD with stable and/or low disease activity. The impaired ability in generating vaccine‐specific antibodies in patients with RD was associated with a reduction in Tfh cells induction. The window of vaccination times still needs to be explored in future studies. Clinical trial registration: This trial was registered with ChiCTR2100049138.
Infant regulation during the pandemic: Associations with maternal response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, well‐being, and socio‐emotional investment
Authors: Reinelt Tilman , Suppiger Debora , Frey Clarissa , Oertel Rebecca , Natalucci Giancarlo 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIn the transition to parenthood, the COVID‐19 pandemic poses an additional strain on parental well‐being. Confirmed infections or having to quarantine, as well as public health measures negatively affect parents and infants. Contrary to previous studies mainly focusing on the well‐being of school‐aged children and their parents during lockdown periods, the present study investigated how mothers of infants respond to the COVID‐19 pandemic and whether this is related to maternal well‐being, maternal socio‐emotional investment, and infant regulation. Between April and June 2021, 206 mothers of infants (Mage = 7.14 months, SDage = 3.75 months) reported on COVID‐19 infections, their response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, their well‐being, socio‐emotional investment, and their infant’s regulation. Exploratory factor analyses yielded five dimensions of maternal response to the COVID‐19 pandemic: social distancing, worrying about the child, birth anxiety, distancing from the child, and information on COVID‐19‐related parenting behavior and support. These dimensions were related to mother‐reported infant regulatory problems. Path analyses revealed paths via reduced maternal well‐being and maternal socio‐emotional investment. Maternal perceptions of infant regulatory problems are related to how the mothers respond to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Better information about COVID‐19‐related parenting behavior and support might buffer against these effects.
Liquid ozone therapies for the treatment of epithelial wounds: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Romary Daniel J. , Landsberger Sarah A. , Bradner K. Nicole , Ramirez Mirian , Leon Brian R. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractOzonated water and ozonated oils are emerging as potential therapies for wound care, but their efficacy has not been appropriately evaluated. The aim of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of topical ozone in the treatment of mammalian wounds. A structured search of five scientific databases returned a total of 390 unique studies. Of these, 22 studies were included in this review. Four studies provided enough data to be included in a meta‐analysis evaluating the time to complete wound healing. All studies were randomised controlled trials of humans or other mammalian animals that reported clinical signs of wound healing. Each study was critically analysed by a six‐point assessment of the risk of bias. Wounds treated with topical ozone had a greater reduction in wound size than similar wounds treated with controls or standard of care in all studies. Those treated with ozonated liquids also had a shorter time to wound healing by approximately one week. In conclusion, topical ozone contributed to enhanced wound healing in all studies. While additional human experiments would be helpful to quantify ozone's specific effects on wound healing compared to standard treatment, topical ozone should be considered as part of an overall wound management strategy.
Fast synthesis of NaNbO3 nanoparticles with high photocatalytic activity for degradation of organic dyes
Authors: Fernandes Daiane , Ferrer Mateus M. , Raubach Cristiane W. , Moreira Mario L. , Jardim Pedro L. G. , Moreira Eduardo Ceretta , Graeff Carlos F. O. , Cava Sergio S. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractNaNbO3 nanoparticles were obtained using the microwave‐assisted hydrothermal method followed by heat treatment. It has been shown that heat treatment to increase the crystallinity of the material and modifies particle shape, from nanowires to nanograins. Nanowires with a diameter of approximately 35 nm and a length of tens of micrometers were obtained in the shortest time ever reported in the literature. Particles in the shape of nanograins with a diameter of approximately 35 nm were obtained by burning the nanowires. The photocatalytic activity of the nanoparticles was investigated through the photodegradation of Rhodamine B dye. Electronic structure analysis using density functional theory (DFT) along with experimental techniques was performed to help understand the photocatalytic activity of each sample. The obtained nanoparticles were highly favorable for photocatalytic applications, especially the nanograins, which degraded 100% of the dye in 50 min.
Analysis of fracture mechanisms of ultrathin glass for flexible cover window under pen drop conditions
Authors: Kim Seungho , Chung Woon Jin , Jung Somi , Shim Gyuin , Shon Huiyeon , Kim Seung , Park Kyeong Dae 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe fracture mechanism of a chemically strengthened ultrathin glass (UTG) for the cover window of flexible display devices was investigated under pen loading conditions for the first time to better understand the UTG impact resistance characteristics. High‐speed camera analysis, fracture fragment analysis, and finite element modeling were employed to investigate the fracture mechanism of the UTG under pen drop conditions. A pen‐on‐plate (POP) test was also employed to examine the fracture characteristics under static loading condition, and its results were compared with those of the pen drop test (PDT) to find a correlation between the static and dynamic loading conditions. The correlation found between the POP and PDT tests indicates that a quantitative estimation of contact displacement under PDT can be obtained by measuring the first ring crack size, to more easily determine the impact resistance characteristics of UTG.
Influence of stabilizing ions and sintering process on the thermal conductivity of α‐SiAlON ceramics
Authors: Zhang Shijia , Du Songmo , Zhang Jie , Li Fei , Chen Zhanglin , Smirnov Konstantin , Chen Kexin , Liu Guanghua 
Published: September 2022

Abstractα‐SiAlON ceramics with different stabilizing ions of Yb, Dy, Nd, Y, Ca, and binary stabilizing ions of (Yb + Ca) and (Yb + Nd) were prepared by spark plasma sintering at 1600°C and gas pressure sintering at 1800 and 1900°C, and their thermal conductivity was investigated. It was found that α‐SiAlON ceramics with larger and heavier stabilizing ions had lower thermal conductivity and the thermal conductivity could be further reduced by using binary stabilizing ions, which can be explained by phonon scattering from point defects. At the same time, the samples prepared at lower sintering temperatures showed smaller grain sizes and lower thermal conductivity. The relationship between the thermal diffusivity of samples and temperature was studied, where the dependence of inverse thermal diffusivity on temperature was better fitted by a quadratic fitting function than the usual linear one over a wide temperature range from 25 to 800°C.
High‐power piezoelectric energy harvester produced using [0 0 1]‐textured (Na, K)NbO3‐based lead‐free piezoceramics
Authors: Kim Sun‐Woo , Chae Seok‐June , Kim Dae‐Su , Woo Jong‐Un , Kim Eun‐Ji , Go Su‐Hwan , Eum Jae‐Min , Kang Hyung‐Won , Han Seung Ho , Nahm Sahn 
Published: September 2022

AbstractHigh‐power piezoelectric energy harvesters (PEHs) require piezoceramics with a large kp and d33 but small εT33/ε0 values. The [0 0 1]‐textured 0.96(Na, K)(Nb1−xSbx)–0.04SrZrO3 piezoceramics (x = 0.025 and 0.045) exhibited the improved electromechanical coupling factor (kp) and piezoelectric charge constant (d33); however, the increase of dielectric constant (εT33/ε0) was not significant. Further, the textured piezoceramic with x = 0.045 shows the large d33 × g33 value of 21.5 pm2/N, where g33 is piezoelectric voltage constant, indicating that texturing is a good technique to fabricate the piezoceramics for PEH. The impedance curve of the PEH consisting of the metal substrate and textured piezoceramic shows a piezoelectric resonance peak at a low frequency, which is the same as the mechanical resonance frequency of the PEH. Hence, the PEH can be considered a piezoelectric material. The figure of merit of the PEH was determined using the mechanical quality and electromechanical coupling factor calculated from the impedance curve of the PEH. A large power output of 1.7 mW was obtained from the type‐1 PEH at the resonance frequency produced using the textured thick film (x = 0.045). Hence, this PEH can be used as a permanent power source for microelectronic devices in the Internet of Things.
Freshwater mussels and host fish gut microbe community composition shifts after agricultural contaminant exposure
Authors: Gill Stephanie P. , Learman Deric R. , Annis Mandy L. , Woolnough Daelyn A. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractAimsWe examined the effects of a mixture of contaminants found in agricultural watersheds on the gut microbiota and physiology of both the freshwater mussel Lampsilis cardium, and L. cardium host fish Micropterus salmoides.Methods and resultsLampsilis cardium and M. salmoides were exposed to three concentrations of agricultural contaminants for 60 days (observing behaviour daily) before being sampled for gut microbiota analyses. DNA was extracted from the gut samples, amplified via PCR, and sequenced using the Illumina Mi-Seq platform. Only L. cardium guts had differing microbiota across treatments, with an increase in potentially pathogenic Aeromonas. We also provide novel evidence of a core microbiota within L. cardium and M. salmoides. In terms of physiology, female L. cardium exhibited a decrease in movement and marsupial gill display in contaminant exposures.ConclusionsExposure to contaminants from agricultural watersheds may affect population recruitment within freshwater mussel communities over time. Specifically, increased pathogenic micro-organisms and altered behaviour can reduce the likelihood of glochidia dispersal.Significance and impact of the studyThis study supports emerging research that contaminants found in agricultural watersheds may be a factor in freshwater mussel population declines. It also provides novel evidence that unionids have a core gut microbiota.
How to deepen college students' approach to using technologies in T‐O‐IBL? Examining the mediating influence of deep approaches to using technologies between learning factors and higher order thinking skills
Authors: Lu Kaili , Pang Feng , Shadiev Rustam 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackgroundInquiry‐based learning is a salient instructional approach to cultivate students' higher order thinking skills (HOTS). With the presence and advancement of new technologies, their usage for inquiry learning in university context is increasingly ubiquitous. However, in most circumstances, college students cannot integrate technologies to their inquiry learning in efficient ways or their abilities to use technologies are not good enough. Previous studies found that intrinsic motivation (IM), peer interaction (PI) and classroom connectedness (CC) were key factors to influence students' approaches to using technologies from the personal, behavioural and environmental perspectives.ObjectivesThis study investigated the influence of these three essential learning factors (IM, PI and CC) on students' HOTS and the mediate influence of deep approach to using technologies (DAUT) between these learning factors and HOTS in the technology‐enhanced open inquiry‐based learning context.MethodsA questionnaire was administered to 80 university students who had studied with the technology‐enhanced open inquiry‐based learning approach. The partial least squares method was employed to investigate the relationships among learning factors, DAUT and HOTS.Results and ConclusionsResults showed that CC and PI were positively directly related to HOTS. DAUT was a significant mediator between two (i.e., IM and PI) of the three learning factors and HOTS. The findings of the study have practical implications for instructors, indicating that they should pay attention to students' IM and PI in deepening their approach to using technologies as well as to improve students' HOTS in technology‐enhanced open inquiry‐based learning.