bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phosphorus and Nitrogen Sorption to Soils in the Presence of Poultry Litter‐Derived Dissolved Organic Matter
Authors: Goyne Keith W. , Jun Hee‐Joong , Anderson Stephen H. , Motavalli Peter P.
Published: January 2008

Two environmental aspects associated with land application of poultry litter that have not been comprehensively evaluated are (i) the competition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and P for soil sorption sites, and (ii) the sorption of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) relative to inorganic nitrogen species (e.g., NO3− and NH4+) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The competition between DOM and P for sorption sites has often been assumed to increase the amount of P available for plant growth; however, elevating DOM concentrations may also increase P available for transport to water resources. Batch sorption experiments were conducted to (i) evaluate soil properties governing P sorption to benchmark soils of Southwestern Missouri, (ii) elucidate the impact of poultry litter‐derived DOM on P sorption, and (iii) investigate DON retention relative to inorganic N species and DOC. Soils were reacted for 24 h with inorganic P (0–60 mg L−1) in the presence and absence of DOM (145 mg C L−1) using a background electrolyte solution comparable to DOM extracts (I = 10.8 mmol L−1; pH 7.7). Soil P sorption was positively correlated with metal oxide (r2 = 0.70) and clay content (r2 = 0.79) and negatively correlated with Bray‐1 extractable P (r2 = 0.79). Poultry litter‐derived DOM had no significant negative impact on P sorption. Dissolved organic nitrogen was preferentially removed from solution relative to (NO3−–N + NO2−–N), NH4+–N, and DOC. This research indicates that poultry litter‐derived DOM is not likely to enhance inorganic P transport which contradicts the assumption that DOM released from organic wastes increases plant‐available P when organic amendments and fertilizer P are co‐applied. Additionally, this work demonstrates the need to further evaluate the fate and transport of DON in agroecosystem soils receiving poultry litter applications.
Ecological Effects after an Alum Treatment in Spring Lake, Michigan
Authors: Steinman Alan D. , Ogdahl Mary
Published: January 2008

A whole‐lake alum treatment was applied to eutrophic Spring Lake during October and November 2005. Eight months later, an ecological assessment of the lake was performed and compared with data collected in 2003 and 2004. Field measurements showed reduced soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in the water column the summer after the alum application, but chlorophyll levels and irradiance profiles were not significantly affected. Total macroinvertebrate density declined significantly in 2006 compared with 2004, with chaoborids and oligochaetes experiencing the greatest reductions. Internal phosphorus release rates, measured using sediment cores incubated in the laboratory, ranged from −0.052 to 0.877 mg TP m−2 d−1 under anaerobic conditions. These internal loading rates were significantly lower than those measured in 2003 at three out of four sites. Mean porewater SRP concentrations were lower in 2006 than in 2003, but this difference was statistically significant only under aerobic conditions. The NaOH‐extractable SRP fraction in the sediment was also significantly lower in 2006 compared with 2003, whereas the HCl‐extractable SRP sediment fraction showed the opposite pattern. Overall, these results indicate that the alum treatment effectively reduced internal P loading in Spring Lake. However, water column phosphorus concentrations remain high in this system, presumably due to high external loading levels, and may account for the high chlorophyll levels. An integrated watershed management approach that includes reducing internal and external inputs of P is necessary to address the cultural eutrophication of Spring Lake.
Phosphorus Sorbing Materials: Sorption Dynamics and Physicochemical Characteristics
Authors: Leader J. W. , Dunne E. J. , Reddy K. R.
Published: January 2008

The effectiveness of various management practices to reduce phosphorus (P) loss from soil to water can potentially be improved by using by‐product materials that have the capacity to sorb phosphorus. This study evaluated the P sorption and desorption potential, and the physicochemical characteristics of various phosphorus sorbing materials. Twelve materials were selected and P sorption potentials ranged between 66 and 990 mg kg−1 Iron, and calcium drinking water treatment residuals (DWTRs), a magnesium fertilizer by‐product, aluminum, and humate materials all removed substantial amounts of P from solution and desorbed little. Humate had the highest maximum P sorption capacity (Smax). Materials which had a low equilibrium P concentration (EPC0) and a high Smax included aluminum and humate by‐products. In a kinetic study, the Fe‐DWTR, Ca‐DWTR, aluminum, and magnesium by‐product materials all removed P (to relatively low levels) from solution within 4 h. Phosphorus fractionation suggests that most materials contained little or no P that was readily available to water. Sand materials contained the greatest P fraction associated with fulvic and humic acids. In general, materials (not Ca‐DWTR) and magnesium by‐product were composed of sand‐sized particles. There were no relationships between particle size distributions and P sorption in materials other than sands. The Ca‐ and Fe‐DWTR, and magnesium by‐product also contained plant nutrients and thus, may be desirable as soil amendments after being used to sorb P. Further, using Ca‐DWTRs and Fe‐DWTRs as soil amendments may also increase soil cation exchange and water holding capacity.
Phosphate Treatment of Firing Range Soils: Lead Fixation or Phosphorus Release?
Authors: Dermatas Dimitris , Chrysochoou Maria , Grubb Dennis G. , Xu Xuanfeng
Published: January 2008

Phosphate treatment of lead (Pb)‐contaminated soils relies on the premise that Pb converts to the thermodynamically stable, insoluble mineral class of pyromorphites. Recent research showed that treatment performance is kinetically controlled and strongly dependent on soil pH; this study employed an acidic phosphate (P) form, monobasic calcium phosphate (MCP), to investigate treatment performance of Pb occurring in an alkaline‐buffered and an acidic firing range soil. The results of leaching, X‐ray powder diffraction (XRPD), and modeling analyses showed that P and Pb dissolution in the alkaline soil and transformation reactions were kinetically controlled, so that: (i) TCLP (toxicity characteristic leaching procedure) and SPLP (synthetic precipitation leaching procedure) results were poor to marginal even at high MCP dosages; (ii) brushite (Ca(HPO4)·2H2O) and cerussite (PbCO3) persisted in XRPD patterns; and, (iii) geochemical modeling failed to predict leaching and phase assemblages. In the acidic soil, Pb‐P reactions promoted further soil acidification, improved TCLP performance, and generated better agreement with the equilibrium‐based model; however, SPLP and modeling results showed that Pb concentrations could not be reduced below 15 μg/L mainly due to the low soil pH. The marginal or inadequate Pb immobilization was observed in both soils despite the elevated MCP dosages, which were well in excess of the pyromorphite stoichiometric ratio (P/Pb = 0.6). Additionally, P leaching concentrations and rates were extremely high (>300 mg/L), under both SPLP and deionized (DI) water extraction conditions, and as predicted by thermodynamic equilibrium. The performance and sustainability of phosphate‐based treatment therefore seem questionable.
Determination of Dominant Biogeochemical Processes in a Contaminated Aquifer‐Wetland System Using Multivariate Statistical Analysis
Authors: Báez‐Cazull Susan E. , McGuire Jennifer T. , Cozzarelli Isabelle M. , Voytek Mary A.
Published: January 2008

Determining the processes governing aqueous biogeochemistry in a wetland hydrologically linked to an underlying contaminated aquifer is challenging due to the complex exchange between the systems and their distinct responses to changes in precipitation, recharge, and biological activities. To evaluate temporal and spatial processes in the wetland‐aquifer system, water samples were collected using cm‐scale multi‐chambered passive diffusion samplers (peepers) to span the wetland‐aquifer interface over a period of 3 yr. Samples were analyzed for major cations and anions, methane, and a suite of organic acids resulting in a large dataset of over 8000 points, which was evaluated using multivariate statistics. Principal component analysis (PCA) was chosen with the purpose of exploring the sources of variation in the dataset to expose related variables and provide insight into the biogeochemical processes that control the water chemistry of the system. Factor scores computed from PCA were mapped by date and depth. Patterns observed suggest that (i) fermentation is the process controlling the greatest variability in the dataset and it peaks in May; (ii) iron and sulfate reduction were the dominant terminal electron‐accepting processes in the system and were associated with fermentation but had more complex seasonal variability than fermentation; (iii) methanogenesis was also important and associated with bacterial utilization of minerals as a source of electron acceptors (e.g., barite BaSO4); and (iv) seasonal hydrological patterns (wet and dry periods) control the availability of electron acceptors through the reoxidation of reduced iron‐sulfur species enhancing iron and sulfate reduction.
Reactivity of the Plant Growth Regulator Paclobutrazol (Cultar) with Two Tropical Soils of the Northeast Semiarid Region of Brazil
Authors: Milfont Mônica Lúcia , Martins Jean Manuel Fonseca , Antonino Antonio Celso Dantas , Gouveia Ester Ribeiro , Netto André Maciel , Guiné Véronique , Mas Hélène , dos Santos Freire Maria Betânia Galvão
Published: January 2008

The reactivity of paclobutrazol (PBZ, a plant growth retardant) with a Yellow Ultisol and a Vertisol from the semiarid northeast region of Brazil was evaluated through batch sorption experiments and modeling. Although not instantaneous, the sorption kinetic of PBZ (pure and formulated) was fast (a few hours) in both soils. The sorption kinetics were well described by a second‐order () but not by a first‐order model. The sorption isotherms were found to be linear and the calculated KD values were 8.8 ± 0.11 and 7.4 ± 0.2 L kg−1 for pure PBZ in the Ultisol and the Vertisol, respectively. The corresponding KOC values were 1275 ± 34 (logKOC = 3.11) and 1156 ± 49 (logKOC = 3.06) L kg−1, respectively. Considering the very different texture of the two soils and the similar KOC values determined, these results showed that in both soils, the sorption of PBZ is dominantly controlled by organic matter, although some interactions of PBZ with iron oxides (goethite) were observed in the Ultisol. Based on these sorption parameters a low leachability potential of PBZ in soils is anticipated, as they correspond to a groundwater ubiquity score (GUS) ranging from 2.0 to 2.7, i.e., moderately to not mobile, in contradiction with the actual groundwater situation in Brazil. This work stresses the need to evaluate and predict the risk associated with aquifer contamination by this widely used plant growth regulator.
Influence of Prairie Restoration on CT‐Measured Soil Pore Characteristics
Authors: Udawatta Ranjith P. , Anderson Stephen H. , Gantzer Clark J. , Garrett Harold E.
Published: January 2008

Restored prairies are expected to improve soil physical properties, yet little is known about the extent of change to soil properties and how rapidly these changes take place. The objective of this study was to compare effects of prairie restoration on computed tomography (CT)‐measured pore parameters. Undisturbed soil cores (76 mm diam. by 76 mm long) from native prairie (NP), restored prairie (RP), conservation reserve program (CRP), and no‐till corn (Zea mays L.)‐soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.; CS) sites were collected with six replicates from the 0‐ to 40‐cm depth in 10‐cm increments. Five CT images were acquired from each soil core using a medical CT scanner with 0.2 by 0.2 mm pixel resolution with 0.5 mm slice thickness, and then images were analyzed. Soil bulk density and hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) were also measured. Soils under NP, RP, CRP, and CS areas had 83, 43, 48, and 26 pores on a 2500 mm2 area, respectively, for the 0‐ to 40‐cm depth. The number of pores, number of macropores (>1000 μm diam.), macroporosity, mesoporosity (200‐1000 μm diam.), and fractal dimension were significantly higher and pore circularity was lower for NP, RP, and CRP than the CS treatment. The CT‐measured mesoporosity and macroporosity of the CS treatment were 20 and 18% of the values for the NP site. CT‐measured number of pores and macropores explained 43 and 40% of the variation for Ksat The study showed that prairie restoration improves CT‐measured soil pore parameters and decreases bulk density which are related to soil water infiltration.
Season and Bedding Impacts on Ammonia Emissions from Tie‐stall Dairy Barns
Authors: Powell J. M. , Misselbrook T. H. , Casler M. D.
Published: January 2008

Federal and state regulations are being promulgated under the Clean Air Act to reduce hazardous air emissions from livestock operations. Few data are available on emissions from livestock facilities in the USA and the management practices that may minimize emissions. The objective of this study was to measure seasonal and bedding impacts on ammonia emissions from tie‐stall dairy barns located in central Wisconsin. Four chambers each housed four Holstein dairy heifers (∼17 mo of age; body weights, 427–522 kg) for three 28‐d trial periods corresponding to winter, summer, and fall. A 4×4 Latin Square statistical design was used to evaluate four bedding types (manure solids, chopped newspaper, pine shavings, and chopped wheat straw) in each chamber for a 4‐d ammonia monitoring period. Average ammonia‐N emissions (g heifer−1 d−1) during summer (20.4) and fall (21.0) were similar and twice the emissions recorded during winter (10.1). Ammonia‐N emissions accounted for approximately 4 to 7% of consumed feed N, 4 to 10% of excreted N, and 9 to 20% of manure ammonical N. Cooler nighttime temperatures did not result in lower ammonia emissions than daytime temperatures. Ammonia emissions (g heifer−1 d−1) from chambers that contained manure solids (20.0), newspaper (18.9), and straw (18.9) were similar and significantly greater than emissions using pine shavings (15.2). Chamber N balances, or percent difference between the inputs feed N and bedding N, and the outputs manure N, body weight N, and ammonia N were 105, 90, and 89% for the winter, summer, and fall trials, respectively. Relatively high chamber N balances and favorable comparisons of study data with published values of ammonia emissions, feed N intake, and manure N excretion provided confidence in the accuracy of the study results.
Geochemical Parameters Influencing Tungsten Mobility in Soils
Authors: Bednar A. J. , Jones W. T. , Boyd R. E. , Ringelberg D. B. , Larson S. L.
Published: January 2008

The biogeochemistry of tungsten and its effects on mobility have recently gained attention due to the existence of human cancer clusters, such as in Fallon, NV. Tungsten exists in many environmental matrices as the soluble and mobile tungstate anion. However, tungsten can polymerize with itself and other anions, creating poly‐ and heteropoly‐tungstates with variable geochemical and toxicological properties. In the present work, geochemical parameters are determined for tungstate species in a model soil that describe the potential for tungsten mobility. Soluble tungsten leached from a metallic tungsten‐spiked soil after six to twelve months aging reached an equilibrium concentration >150 mg/L within 4 h of extraction with deionized water. Partition coefficients determined for various tungstate and polytungstate compounds in the model soil suggest a dynamic system in which speciation changes over time affect tungsten geochemical behavior. Partition coefficients for tungstate and some poly‐species have been observed to increase by a factor of 3 to 6 over a four month period, indicating decreased mobility with soil aging.
The Fate of Sulfate in Acidified Pig Slurry during Storage and Following Application to Cropped Soil
Authors: Eriksen Jørgen , Sørensen Peter , Elsgaard Lars
Published: January 2008

Acidification of slurry with sulfuric acid is a recent agricultural practice that may serve a double purpose: reducing ammonia emission and ensuring crop sulfur sufficiency. We investigated S transformations in untreated and acidified pig slurry stored for up to 11 mo at 2, 10, or 20°C. Furthermore, the fertilizer efficiency of sulfuric acid in acidified slurry was investigated in a pot experiment with spring barley. The sulfate content from acidification with sulfuric acid was relatively stable and even after 11 mo of storage the majority was in the plant‐available sulfate form. Microbial sulfate reduction during storage of acidified pig slurry was limited, presumably due to initial pH effects and a limitation in the availability of easily degradable organic matter. Sulfide accumulation was observed during storage but the sulfide levels in acidified slurry did not exceed those of the untreated slurry for several months after addition. The S fertilizer value of the acidified slurry was considerable as a result of the stable sulfate pool during storage. The high content of inorganic S in the acidified slurry may potentially lead to development of odorous volatile sulfur‐containing compounds and investigations are needed into the relationship between odor development and the C and S composition of the slurry.
Isotopic Discrimination as a Tool for Organic Farming Certification in Sweet Pepper
Authors: del Amor Francisco M. , Navarro Joaquín , Aparicio Pedro M.
Published: January 2008

Organic farming is a form of agriculture that excludes the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms. These fertilizers have been traditionally overused in conventional farming to avoid lost revenue, but this often not does not take into account the potential contamination of aquifers and river due to nitrate leaching. Transition to organic farming practices could provide an instrument to reduce contamination and increase potential income. It is difficult to determine to what extent those fertilizers could have been used within a complete traceability of the production process. In this experiment, we evaluated the use of 15N/14N isotopic discrimination in sweet pepper plants to test the hypothesis that synthetic fertilizers significantly reduce 15N/14N compared with exclusively organic practices. Therefore, three common types of organic manures (sheep, hen, or horse) were applied at a rate of 8 kg m−2 with or without synthetic fertilizer amendments under fully controlled environmental and irrigation conditions. Results indicate that (i) use of synthetic fertilizers significantly reduced 15/14N2vsN2atm compared with treatments that only received water; (ii) with respect to the plant organs, old leaves and fruits were more sensitive to the synthetic fertilizer additions with reductions in 15/14N2vsN2atm of 24.1 and 27.8%, respectively; and (iii) independently of the organic manure used, no additional fertilization (synthetic or organic) is required before 106 days after transplanting at that dosage because plant fresh weight was not reduced.
Structural Analyses of Carbohydrate Moieties of Glycoproteins by Microwave-Assisted Partial Acid Hydrolysis and Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Lee Bao-Shiang , Krishnanchettiar Sangeeth , Lasanthi P. Jayathilaka G. D. , Lateef Syed Salman , Gupta Shalini
Published: January 2008

Characterization of carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins using microwave-assisted partial acid hydrolysis (MAPAH) and mass spectrometry (MS) are described in this review. Acids including hydrochloric acid (HCl), trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), and phosphoric acid (H3PO4) can be used to induce partial hydrolysis of the carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins in as short as 30 s of microwave exposure. High resolving power of MS allows distinction between different glycopeptide fragments. Several glycoproteins including bovine pancreatic ribonuclease B (RNase B, MW ∼15 kDa), egg white avidin (MW ∼16 kDa), human serum α1-acid glycoprotein (α1-AGP, MW ∼36 kDa), horseradish peroxidase (HRP, MW ∼44 kDa), fetal calf serum fetuin (BSF, MW ∼45 kDa), and glucose oxidase from Aspergillus niger (GO, MW ∼75 kDa), are used to demonstrate this technique. Information of the sugar composition and/or arrangement of the carbohydrate moieties can be readily obtained either from glycoproteins directly or digested glycopeptides of the glycoproteins. This method is fast, sensitive, and a reliable technique. Challenges when working on larger and heavily glycosylated glycoproteins are discussed.
Membrane Domain Distributions: Analysis of Fluorescence Sterol Ex-change Kinetics
Authors: Schroeder Friedhelm , Gallegos Adalberto M. , Atshaves Barbara P. , McIntosh Avery L. , Storey Stephen M. , Ball Judith M. , Kier Ann B.
Published: January 2008

It is well known that cholesterol is localized in a non-random distribution within and across biological membranes. The importance of the cholesterol-enriched domains, also termed rafts, is evident from the fact that non-receptormediated cholesterol uptake and reverse cholesterol transport also occur through select plasma membrane domains. However, despite much effort to resolve the mechanisms that explain the origin, function, and regulation of membrane cholesterol lateral and transbilayer asymmetric distribution into domains, these phenomena remain largely unresolved. As well, progress in understanding the pathways of intracellular cholesterol trafficking, and the ultimate cellular fate of that cholesterol, has been sparse. Understanding the above-named phenomena and processes is itself crucial to resolving the molecular mechanisms of cholesterol uptake, reverse cholesterol transport, modulation of membrane function, and steroidogenesis. These ongoing efforts to elucidate the nature of cholesterol distribution and dynamics within the cell, have necessitated devising new ways to investigate the trafficking of cholesterol. To that end, fluorescent kinetic exchange assays have been developed to probe the nature of sterol transfer between biological membranes, i.e. endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes, mitochondria, plasma membrane, and caveolae/lipid rafts (i.e., distinct sub-domains of the plasma membrane). These exchange assays make use of spectroscopic properties, such as polarization, to investigate the nature and distribution of sterol within biological membranes. These assays demonstrate that: cholesterol is distributed within the plane of biomembrane layers into dynamic and static domains, with the latter predominating, and that regulation of the size and kinetics of biomembrane cholesterol domains might be determining factors in intracellular cholesterol trafficking, targeting, and efflux.
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy with Longitudinal Multispin Orders
Authors: Velan S. Sendhil , Pichumani Kumar , Murray David , Raylman Raymond R. , Scott Tricia , Manivannan Ayyakannu , Halliburton Larry
Published: January 2008

Longitudinal multispin orders can be created in spin systems that exhibit scalar, dipolar or quadrupolar couplings. They provide an effective way for measurement of scalar couplings and also to probe molecular interactions and dynamics. They cannot be separated by phase cycling or gradient selection methods which are the only known modes of separating different coherences. In this review we describe the frequency cycling procedure for separating various orders in weakly and strongly coupled spin systems. We provide the analytical solutions that permit determination of the frequency cycle for different spin systems. We also discuss the creation of longitudinal orders through relaxation. Finally we highlight the potential applications including spectral editing, measurement of relative signs of scalar couplings and structural properties of molecules.
T2ρ and T1ρ Adiabatic Relaxations and Contrasts
Authors: Michaeli Shalom , Sorce Dennis J. , Garwood Michael
Published: January 2008

Transverse relaxation in the rotating frame (T2ρ) is the dominant relaxation mechanism during a train of adiabatic full passage (AFP) radiofrequency (RF) pulses with no interpulse time intervals placed after the 90° excitation pulse. The magnetization components remain transverse to the time-dependent effective field and undergo relaxation with the time constant T2ρ. Longitudinal relaxation in the rotating frame (T1ρ) is the dominant relaxation mechanism during a train of AFP RF pulses placed prior to an excitation pulse. Here, magnetization is aligned along the time-dependent effective field during adiabatic rotation undergoes relaxation with the time constant T1ρ. A detailed description of rotating frame relaxations due to dipolar interactions and exchange during adiabatic pulses is presented herein. The exchange-induced and dipolar interaction contributions depend on the modulation functions of the adiabatic pulses used. The intrinsic rotating frame relaxation rate constant is sensitive to fluctuations at the effective frequencey (ωeff) in the rotating frame, and this is modulated differently during the two types of AFP pulses. This may lead to the possibility to assess T1ρ and T2ρ relaxation influenced by dipolar relaxation pathways and exchange in human brain tissue and provide a means to generate T1ρ and T2ρ contrasts in MRI.
Quality of Large Language Model Responses to Radiation Oncology Patient Care Questions
Authors: Yalamanchili Amulya , Sengupta Bishwambhar , Song Joshua , Lim Sara , Thomas Tarita O. , Mittal Bharat B. , Abazeed Mohamed E. , Teo P. Troy
Published: April 2024

Importance

Artificial intelligence (AI) large language models (LLMs) demonstrate potential in simulating human-like dialogue. Their efficacy in accurate patient-clinician communication within radiation oncology has yet to be explored.

Objective

To determine an LLM’s quality of responses to radiation oncology patient care questions using both domain-specific expertise and domain-agnostic metrics.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study retrieved questions and answers from websites (accessed February 1 to March 20, 2023) affiliated with the National Cancer Institute and the Radiological Society of North America. These questions were used as queries for an AI LLM, ChatGPT version 3.5 (accessed February 20 to April 20, 2023), to prompt LLM-generated responses. Three radiation oncologists and 3 radiation physicists ranked the LLM-generated responses for relative factual correctness, relative completeness, and relative conciseness compared with online expert answers. Statistical analysis was performed from July to October 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The LLM’s responses were ranked by experts using domain-specific metrics such as relative correctness, conciseness, completeness, and potential harm compared with online expert answers on a 5-point Likert scale. Domain-agnostic metrics encompassing cosine similarity scores, readability scores, word count, lexicon, and syllable counts were computed as independent quality checks for LLM-generated responses.

Results

Of the 115 radiation oncology questions retrieved from 4 professional society websites, the LLM performed the same or better in 108 responses (94%) for relative correctness, 89 responses (77%) for completeness, and 105 responses (91%) for conciseness compared with expert answers. Only 2 LLM responses were ranked as having potential harm. The mean (SD) readability consensus score for expert answers was 10.63 (3.17) vs 13.64 (2.22) for LLM answers (P < .001), indicating 10th grade and college reading levels, respectively. The mean (SD) number of syllables was 327.35 (277.15) for expert vs 376.21 (107.89) for LLM answers (P = .07), the mean (SD) word count was 226.33 (191.92) for expert vs 246.26 (69.36) for LLM answers (P = .27), and the mean (SD) lexicon score was 200.15 (171.28) for expert vs 219.10 (61.59) for LLM answers (P = .24).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study, the LLM generated accurate, comprehensive, and concise responses with minimal risk of harm, using language similar to human experts but at a higher reading level. These findings suggest the LLM’s potential, with some retraining, as a valuable resource for patient queries in radiation oncology and other medical fields.
Bakery Processes, Chemically Leavened Products
Authors: Gélinas Pierre
Published: April 2024

This article briefly describes key ingredients and manufacturing processes for chemically leavened bakery products, in particular gas‐releasing agents and leavening acids.
Bakery Processes, Yeast‐Leavened Products
Authors: Gélinas Pierre
Published: April 2024

This article briefly describes key ingredients and manufacturing processes for yeast‐leavened bakery products, in particular dough fermentation.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Similar/Dissimilar Resistance Spot‐Welded Aluminum Alloys for Aerospace Applications
Authors: Li Mingyang , Yang Yue , Yu Shibao , Luo Zhen , Gao Zhonglin , Tian Zengtai , Li Yang
Published: April 2024

2195 aluminum–lithium (Al–Li) and 2XXX series aluminum alloys are joined using resistance spot welding for the first time. The macrostructure, microstructure, element distribution, microhardness, and tensile‐shear property of spot‐welded joints are investigated. The microstructure of the fusion zone of 2195/2195, 2195/2219, and 2195/2A14 joints  is fine equiaxed spherical grains. It is found that solute segregation of Cu occurs in the grain boundaries in the fusion zone, forming Al2Cu. The microhardness shows that due to the dissolution of strengthening phase T1, the hardness of the fusion zone of the three types of joints is lower than that of the base material. The 2195/2195 joint has the best mechanical performance among the three combinations, with maximum tensile‐shear force and absorbed energy reaching 16893.7 N and 24.9 J, respectively. The fracture surfaces of all three types of joints exhibit mixed ductile‐brittle characteristics.
LiFT (a Lithium Fiber‐Based Test): An At‐Home Companion Diagnostics for a Safer Lithium Therapy in Bipolar Disorder
Authors: Amirghasemi Farbod , Nejad Sina Khazaee , Chen Ruitong , Soleimani Ali , Ong Victor , Shroff Nika , Eftekhari Tanya , Ushijima Kara , Ainla Alar , Siegel Steven , Mousavi Maral P. S.
Published: April 2024

This work presents LiFT (a lithium fiber‐based test), a low‐cost electrochemical sensor that can measure lithium in human saliva and urine with FDA‐required accuracy. Lithium is used for the treatment of bipolar disorder, and has a narrow therapeutic window. Close monitoring of lithium concentration in biofluids and adjustment of drug dosage can minimize the devastating side effects. LiFT is an inexpensive, yet accurate and simple‐to‐operate lithium sensor for frequent at‐home testing for early identification of lithium toxicity. The low cost and high accuracy of LiFT are enabled through an innovative design and the use of ubiquitous materials such as yarn and carbon black for fabrication. LiFT measures Li+ through potentiometric recognition using a lithium selective sensing membrane that is deposited on the ink‐coated yarn. A detection limit of 0.97 µM is obtained with a sensitivity of 59.07±1.25 mV/decade for the Li+ sensor in deionized water. Moreover, the sodium correction extended LiFT's linear range in urine and saliva to 0.5 mM. The LiFT platform sends the test results to the patient's smartphone, which subsequently can be shared with the patient's healthcare provider to expedite diagnosis and prevention of acute lithium toxicity.
A 66‐Nuclear All‐Alkynyl Protected Peanut‐Shaped Silver(I)/Copper(I) Heterometallic Nanocluster: Intermediate in Copper‐Catalyzed Alkyne‐Azide Cycloaddition
Authors: Gao Jin‐Ping , Zhang Fu‐Qiang , Zhang Xian‐Ming
Published: April 2024

Ligand‐protected heterometallic nanoclusters in contrast to homo‐metal counterparts show more broad applications due to the synergistic effect of hetero‐metals but their controllable syntheses remain a challenge. Among heterometallic nanoclusters, monovalent Ag‐Cu compounds are rarely explored due to much difference of Ag(I) and Cu(I) such as atom radius, coordination habits, and redox potential. Encouraged by copper‐catalyzed alkyne‐azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction, comproportionation reaction of Cu(II)X2 and Cu(0) in the presence of (PhC≡CAg)n complex and molybdate generated a core‐shell peanut‐shaped 66‐nuclear Ag(I)‐Cu(I) heterometallic nanocluster, [(Mo4O16)2@Cu12Ag54(PhC≡C)50] (referred to as Ag54Cu12). The structure and composition of Ag‐Cu heterometallic nanocluster are fully characterized. X‐ray single crystal diffraction reveals that Ag54Cu12 has a peanut‐shaped silver(I)/copper(I) heterometallic nanocage protected by fifty phenylacetylene ligands in µ3–modes and encapsulated two mutually twisted tetramolybdates. Heterometallic nanocage contains a 54‐Ag‐atom outer ellipsoid silver cage decorated by 12 copper inside wall. Nanosized Ag54Cu12 is a n‐type narrow‐band‐gap semiconductor with a good photocurrent response. Preliminary experiments demonstrates that Ag54Cu12 itself and activated carbon supported Ag54Cu12/C are effective catalysts for 1,3‐dipole cycloaddition between alkynes and azides at ambient conditions. The work provides not only a new synthetic route toward Ag(I)‐Cu(I) nanoclusters but also an important heterometallic intermediate in CuAAC catalytic reaction.
Self‐Powered Multimodal Sensing Using Energy‐Generating Solar Skin for Robotics and Smart Wearables
Authors: Chirila Radu , Dahiya Abhishek Singh , Schyns Philippe , Dahiya Ravinder
Published: April 2024

Wearable electronic devices‐laden systems such as electronic‐skin (e‐Skin) have been explored in recent years to enable advances in applications such as Internet of Things, healthcare, and robotics. The power requirement of multitudes of devices in the e‐Skin is a major hurdle for its wider uptake. Herein, a solar cells‐based energy generating e‐Skin is presented and how the energy outputs of solar cells can be innovatively processed for multimodal sensing is demonstrated. By reading the variations and energy output patterns of the e‐Skin, present on a robotic arm, multiple parameters can be sensed including object motion, color detection, and ambient temperature. With the accurate tracking of shadow sensing, for an object moving in horizontal and vertical directions with respect to the solar skin, information can be obtained such as the velocity and acceleration of moving object. In this regard, the presented e‐Skin can also be seen to have vision capability. The presented multifunctional energy‐generating e‐Skin shows an energy surplus of >1 mW (effective module area of 20 cm2) under white light illumination of 4,450 lux, which is sufficient for continuous powering of portable low‐powered devices. Finally, we demonstrate the e‐Skin application for energy‐autonomous hand gestures recognition in robotics.
Alterations in Blood Methylome as Potential Epigenetic Biomarker in Sporadic Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Gonzalez‐Latapi Paulina , Bustos Bernabe , Dong Siyuan , Lubbe Steven , Simuni Tanya , Krainc Dimitri
Published: April 2024

Objective

To characterize DNA methylation (DNAm) differences between sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD) and healthy control (HC) individuals enrolled in the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI).

Methods

Using whole blood, we characterized longitudinal differences in DNAm between sporadic PD patients (n = 196) and HCs (n = 86) enrolled in PPMI. RNA sequencing (RNAseq) was used to conduct gene expression analyses for genes mapped to differentially methylated cytosine‐guanine sites (CpGs).

Results

At the time of patient enrollment, 5,178 CpGs were differentially methylated (2,683 hypermethylated and 2,495 hypomethylated) in PD compared to HC. Of these, 579 CpGs underwent significant methylation changes over 3 years. Several differentially methylated CpGs were found near the cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily E member 1 (CYP2E1) gene. Additionally, multiple hypermethylated CpGs were associated with the N‐myc downregulated gene family member 4 (NDRG4) gene. RNA‐Seq analyses showed 75 differentially expressed genes in PD patients compared to controls. An integrative analysis of both differentially methylated sites and differentially expressed genes revealed 20 genes that exhibited hypomethylation concomitant with overexpression. Additionally, 1 gene, cathepsin H (CTSH), displayed hypermethylation that was associated with its decreased expression.

Interpretation

We provide initial evidence of alterations in DNAm in blood of PD patients that may serve as potential epigenetic biomarker of disease. To evaluate the significance of these changes throughout the progression of PD, additional profiling at longer intervals and during the prodromal stages of disease will be necessary. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:1162–1172
Analysis of water droplet motion on hydrophobic surfaces with different microstructures
Authors: Zhang Junfeng , Feng He , He Hao , Wang Xiaobei , Chen Liuyang , Xie Atian , Wu Shangquan , Li Jianjun , Xue Changguo
Published: April 2024

The influence of material surface microstructure on interface properties is crucial for the preparation and development of special functional materials. In this paper, polydimethylsiloxane‐based superhydrophobic surfaces of varying roughness and surface energy are prepared using the template method and a spraying technique, and the effect of surface microstructure on lateral friction is studied using a lateral friction detection system. The experimental results indicate that as the surface roughness of a sample decreases, it is observed that the water droplets transition from a Cassie state to a Wenzel state. When the roughness changes from 4.619 μm, reduce to 3.512 μm, the maximum static friction force increases from 33.59 μN increased to 51.52 μN. The lateral sliding friction force ranges from 15.87 ± 1.9 μN increases to 40.91 ± 1.2 μN. For a given surface roughness, when the surface energy is reduced, the water droplets on the surface can be seen to transition from a Wenzel state to a Cassie state, the maximum static friction force increases from 19.32 μN dropped to 9.23 μN, and the lateral sliding friction force increases from 15.26 ± 1.6 μN dropped to 3.47 ± 2.1 μN. However, this behavior is distinct from that observed when changing the roughness of the sample. Studying the influence of the surface microstructure on the lateral friction force observed at a solid–liquid interface can provide important insights into novel geometries that may be used in new, advanced functional surfaces.
Output feedback distributed optimization algorithms of higher‐order uncertain nonlinear multi‐agent systems
Authors: Li Guipu , Gao Fangzheng , Rauf Arshad
Published: April 2024

Output feedback distributed optimization problem is studied for higher‐order multi‐agent systems with uncertain nonlinearities, which are assumed to satisfy linear growth conditions. The agents dynamics are permitted to be heterogenous with different nonlinearities. The problem is solved by embedded control approach based output feedback distributed optimization algorithms. First, a first‐order optimal signal generator is designed, of which outputs reach the minimizer of the global cost function. Second, embedding the generator into the feedback loop and taking the outputs of the generator as the reference outputs of the agents, output feedback tracking controllers are designed for the higher‐order multi‐agent systems on the basis of nonseparation principle and feedback domination technique. Under the proposed control algorithms, all the agents outputs asymptotically approach a bounded neighbor region of the global minimizer. Simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed output feedback distributed optimization algorithms.
Mental rotation and language in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Larson Caroline , Bochynska Agata , Vulchanova Mila
Published: April 2024

Though visuospatial skills are often considered a relative strength in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), unexplained difficulties relative to neurotypical (NT) peers have also been observed. Dissociations between spatial cognition and language skills in ASD may explain these difficulties given that these systems are linked in NT individuals. The current study examined performance on a mental rotation task that systematically varied stimulus features and the degree to which performance was associated with language in ASD relative to NT peers. Participants were children and young adults with ASD and 25 pairwise age‐ and IQ‐matched NT peers (p's>0.53). The mental rotation task involved four conditions: two‐dimensional (2D) abstract figures, three‐dimensional (3D) abstract figures, 2D common objects, and 3D common objects. Structural language was measured using the grammar subscale from the Test of Language Development: Intermediate adapted for Norwegian. Mixed‐effects model results indicated that autistic individuals were less accurate and had slower reaction time across mental rotation task conditions than NT peers. Language was associated with mental rotation accuracy for both groups across conditions, but with reaction time only for the NT group. The current study demonstrated selective associations between language and performance on a classic spatial cognition task in autistic individuals. Namely, there was a dissociation between language and in‐the‐moment efficiency in the ASD group, and this dissociation may reflect a broader dissociation between visuospatial and language systems.
Sex‐dependent alterations of inflammatory factors, oxidative stress, and histopathology of the brain‐gut axis in a VPA‐induced autistic‐like model of rats
Authors: Salari Zahra , Moslemizadeh Amirhossein , Tezerji Sara Sheibani , Sabet Nazanin , Parizi Ali Saeidpour , Khaksari Mohammad , Sheibani Vahid , Jafari Elham , Shafieipour Sara , Bashiri Hamideh
Published: April 2024

Introduction

In this study, we aimed to investigate the inflammatory factors, oxidative stress, and histopathological consequences of the brain‐gut axis in male and female rats prenatally exposed to VPA.

Methods

Pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups. The animals received saline, and valproic acid (VPA) (600 mg/kg, i.p.) on embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5). All offspring were weaned on postnatal day 21, and the experiments were done in male and female rats on day 60. The brain and intestine tissues were extracted to assess histopathology, inflammation, and oxidative stress.

Results

An increase of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and a decrease of interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) were observed in the two sexes and two tissues of the autistic rats. In the VPA‐exposed animals, malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) increased in the brain of both sexes and the intestines of only the males. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) significantly decreased in both tissues of male and female autistic groups. Histopathological evaluation showed that the %apoptosis of the cortex in the autistic male and female groups was more than in controls whereas this parameter in the CA1 and CA3 was significant only in the male rats. In the intestine, histopathologic changes were seen only in the male autistic animals.

Conclusion

The inflammatory and antioxidant factors were in line in the brain‐gut axis in male and female rats prenatally exposed to VPA. Histopathological consequences were more significant in the VPA‐exposed male animals.
Acid‐free and highly efficient one‐step nitration of naphthalene with NO2 promoted by O2‐Ac2O in Fe‐ and Cu‐modified S2O82−/ZrO2 catalyst to 1,5‐dinitronaphthalene under mild conditions
Authors: Yan Jiaqi , Zhang Xiaowen , Zhao Fangfang , You Kuiyi , Luo He'an
Published: April 2024

It is crucial to develop an acid‐free, mild, and efficient strategy for preparing 1,5‐dinitronaphthalene (1,5‐DNN) from naphthalene (NT). This work presented a one‐step NT nitration method using NO2 conjugated to an O2‐Ac2O system over Fe‐/Cu‐modified S2O82−/ZrO2 catalyst (). The effects of different nitration systems and Fe‐/Cu‐modified ZrO2 with various sulphur sources on NT nitration have been studied. Under optimal conditions, 99.5% of the NT conversion with 56.9% selectivity to 1,5‐DNN was obtained. Synergistic catalysis between the strong acid site and the current nitration system remarkably improved the 1,5‐DNN selectivity. The characterization results demonstrated that the appropriate Fe/Cu metals loadings combined with the covalent persulphates promoted the formation of more active tetragonal ZrO2. Chemical bonding of Zr4+ with S2O82− species allowed S6+ more electrons to withdraw than in SO42− species, which led to stronger acidity and better catalytic activity in the catalyst. Moreover, a plausible catalytic nitration reaction mechanism was proposed. The findings revealed that mild reaction conditions, combined with a solid superacid catalyst and NO2‐O2‐Ac2O system, offer significant advantages in reducing acid wastewater discharge and increasing target product selectivity.
Video capsule endoscopy in overt and occult obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: Insights from a single‐center, observational study in Japan
Authors: Tojo Anna , Sujino Tomohisa , Hayashi Yukie , Kamiya Kenji J L Limpias , Sato Moe , Hinako Sakurai , Yoshimatsu Yusuke , Kinoshita Satoshi , Kiyohara Hiroki , Mikami Yohei , Takabayashi Kaoru , Kato Motohiko , Ogata Haruhiko , Kanai Takanori , Hosoe Naoki
Published: April 2024

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the use of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB), compare cases of overt and occult OGIB, assess the rates of balloon‐assisted enteroscopy (BAE) interventions and rebleeding, and identify predictive markers of positive VCE findings.

Methods

Medical records of 430 patients who underwent VCE for OGIB between 2004 and 2022 were analyzed. Occult OGIB was defined as IDA or positive fecal occult blood, whereas overt OGIB was defined as clinically imperceptible bleeding. We retrospectively analyzed demographics, VCE findings based on Saurin classification (P0, P1, and P2), outcome of BAE interventions, and rebleeding rates.

Results

A total of 253 patients with overt OGIB and 177 with occult OGIB were included. P1 findings were predominant in both groups, with a similar distribution. The percentage of patients receiving conservative therapy was higher in P1 than in P2 for both overt and occult OGIB. BAE was more frequently performed in P2 than in P1 VCE (83.0% vs. 35.3% in overt OGIB, 84.4% vs. 24.4% in occult OGIB). The percentage of positive findings and intervention in total BAE performed patients were comparable in P1 and P2 of overt OGIB, whereas these percentages in P2 were more than P1 of occult OGIB.

Conclusion

VCE effectively identified OGIB lesions requiring intervention, particularly occult OGIB lesions, potentially reducing unnecessary BAE. Rebleeding rates varied according to the VCE findings, emphasizing the importance of follow‐up in high‐risk patients.