bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding an ecological tug of war: Disentangling competition between native and domesticated ungulates
Authors: Spencer Bryan D. , DeYoung Randy W. , Foley Aaron M. , Hewitt David G. , Ortega‐S. J. Alfonso , Schofield Landon R. , Campbell Tyler A. , Cherry Michael J.
Published: April 2024

Competition is a complex ecological process involving individual and community interactions at ecological and evolutionary time scales. Individuals within and between species can compete through two mechanisms: exploitative and interference competition. These mechanisms often co‐occur, making it difficult to develop a mechanistic understanding of competition. We used movement data from 19 GPS‐collared white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) associated with an experimental cattle (Bos taurus) stocking event to disentangle exploitative from interference competition between deer and cattle. We assumed any effect of exploitative competition on reduced forage availability for deer would not occur immediately, whereas interference competition would occur immediately after cattle stocking, and antagonistic interactions between deer and cattle would alter deer behavior and degrade habitat quality. We evaluated the effects of the experimental stocking event on deer for 30‐day intervals before and after the cattle stocking event as this period was assumed to be too short for cattle to reduce deer forage resources through exploitative competition. We assessed the effects of interference competition using the movement metrics of home range size, speed, and resource selection. We used home range size as a proxy for habitat quality, assuming cattle would degrade deer habitat through means other than loss of forage. We used speed and resource selection as indicators of deer behavior. We experimentally stocked cattle at densities ranging from 0 to 15.7 animal units/km2 to previously destocked pastures. Stocking densities did not influence home range sizes ( = 17.033, 85% CI: −189.471 to 235.322) of deer. However, as stocking density increased, deer decreased speed ( = −0.014, 85% CI: −0.020 to −0.008) and increased selection for woody cover ( = 0.047, 85% CI: 0.031 to 0.063) and sandier soils ( = 0.062, 85% CI: 0.033 to 0.090). Our results suggest cattle density altered deer behavior and their realized niche within our system. Our results demonstrated mechanisms by which competition with livestock could influence native wildlife populations, which can be used to inform management of multiuse working landscapes.
The effect of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors on outcomes after cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Bray Jonathan J.H. , Coronelli Marco , Scott Sam G.C. , Henry John A. , Couch Liam S. , Ahmad Mahmood , Ormerod Julian , Gamble James , Betts Timothy R. , Lewis Andrew , Rider Oliver J. , Green Peregrine G. , Herring Neil
Published: April 2024

Aims

The trials upon which recommendations for the use of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in heart failure used optimal medical therapy (OMT) before sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). Moreover, the SGLT2i heart failure trials included only a small proportion of participants with CRT, and therefore, it remains uncertain whether SGLT2i should be considered part of OMT prior to CRT.

Methods and results

We compared electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiographic responses to CRT as well as hospitalization and mortality rates in consecutive patients undergoing implantation at a large tertiary centre between January 2019 to June 2022 with and without SGLT2i treatment. Three hundred seventy‐four participants were included aged 74.0 ± 11.5 years (mean ± standard deviation), with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 31.8 ± 9.9% and QRS duration of 161 ± 29 ms. The majority had non‐ischaemic cardiomyopathy (58%) and were in NYHA Class II/III (83.6%). These characteristics were similar between patients with (n = 66) and without (n = 308) prior SGLT2i treatment. Both groups demonstrated similar evidence of response to CRT in terms of QRS duration shortening, and improvements in LVEF, left ventricular end‐diastolic inner‐dimension (LVIDd) and diastolic function (E/A and e/e′). While there was no difference in rates of hospitalization (for heart failure or overall), mortality was significantly lower in patients treated with SGLT2i compared with those who were not (6.5 vs. 16.6%, P = 0.049).

Conclusions

We observed an improvement in mortality in patients undergoing CRT prescribed SGLT2i compared with those not prescribed SGLT2i, despite similar degrees of reverse remodelling. The authors recommend starting SGLT2i prior to CRT implantation, where it does not delay implantation.
Full‐body resistance training promotes greater fat mass loss than a split‐body routine in well‐trained males: A randomized trial
Authors: Carneiro Marcelo A. S. , Nunes Paulo Ricardo P. , Souza Markus V. C. , Assumpção Cláudio O. , Orsatti Fábio L.
Published: April 2024

While significant progress has been made in understanding the resistance training (RT) strategy for muscle hypertrophy increase, there remains limited knowledge about its impact on fat mass loss. This study aimed to investigate whether full‐body is superior to split‐body routine in promoting fat mass loss among well‐trained males. Twenty‐three participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: full‐body (n = 11, training muscle groups 5 days per week) and split‐body (n = 12, training muscle groups 1 day per week). Both groups performed a weekly set volume‐matched condition (75 sets/week, 8–12 repetition maximum at 70%–80 % of 1RM) for 8 weeks, 5 days per week with differences only in the routine. Whole‐body and regional fat were assessed using DXA at the beginning and at the end of the study. Full‐body RT elicited greater losses compared to split‐body in whole‐body fat mass (−0.775 ± 1.120 kg vs. +0.317 ± 1.260 kg;p = 0.040), upper‐limb fat mass (−0.085 ± 0.118 kg vs. +0.066 ± 0.162 kg;p = 0.019), gynoid fat mass (−0.142 ± 0.230 kg vs. +0.123 ± 0.230 kg;p = 0.012), lower‐limb fat mass (−0.197 ± 0.204 kg vs. +0.055 ± 0.328 kg;p = 0.040), and a trend in interaction in android fat mass (−0.116 ± 0.153 kg vs. +0.026 ± 0.174 kg;p = 0.051), with large effects sizes (η2p ≥ 0.17). This study provides evidence that full‐body is more effective in reducing whole‐body and regional fat mass compared to split‐body routine in well‐trained males.
Can mental fatigue affect perception of barbell velocity in resistance training?
Authors: Romagnoli Ruggero , Filipas Luca , Piacentini Maria Francesca
Published: April 2024

Perception of Velocity (PV) is the ability to estimate single repetition velocity during resistance training (RT) exercises. The main purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of Mental Fatigue (MF) on the accuracy of barbell PV. The secondary aims were to evaluate whether MF affected RT performance and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE; OMNI‐RES) in the back squat. Twenty‐four (14 Females, 10 Males) resistance‐trained participants underwent 2 familiarization sessions and 1RM test for the back squat. In two separate sessions, PV was tested for light, medium, and heavy loads in 2 conditions in random order: at rest (REST) and in MF condition (POST‐MF) induced by previous incongruent Stroop color‐word task. MF and Motivation were assessed through visual analog scales (VAS; 0–100) before and after the Stroop task. For each load subjects performed 2 repetitions and reported the RPE value. Mean propulsive velocity (Vr) of the barbell was recorded with a linear encoder, while the perceived velocity (Vp) of the subjects was self‐reported using the Squat‐PV scale. The PV accuracy was calculated through the delta score (ds: Vp–Vr). Following the Stroop task MF increased significantly (p < 0.001; F (1, 23) = 52.572), while motivation decreased (p < 0.05; F (1, 23) = 7.401). Ds, Vr, and RPE did not show significant differences between conditions (p > 0.05) for the three loads analyzed. MF induced by previous demanding cognitive task did not affect PV accuracy. Furthermore, subjects maintained unchanged both RT performance and RPE values associated with each load, even when mentally fatigued.
Projection of Interspecific Competition (PIC) Matrices: A Conceptual Framework for Inclusion in Population Risk Assessments
Authors: Miller David H. , LaLone Carlie A. , Villeneuve Daniel L. , Ankley Gerald T.
Published: April 2024

Accounting for intraspecific and interspecific competition when assessing the effects of chemical and nonchemical stressors is an important uncertainty in ecological risk assessments. We developed novel projection of interspecific competition (PIC) matrices that allow for analysis of population dynamics of two or more species exposed to a given stressor(s) that compete for shared resources within a landscape. We demonstrate the application of PIC matrices to investigate the population dynamics of two hypothetical fish species that compete with one another and have differences in net reproductive rate and intrinsic rate of population increase. Population status predictions were made under scenarios that included exposure to a chemical stressor that reduced fecundity for one or both species. The results of our simulations demonstrated that measures obtained from the life table and Leslie matrix of an organism, including net reproductive rate and intrinsic rate of increase, can result in erroneous conclusions of population status and viability in the absence of a consideration of resource limitation and interspecific competition. This modeling approach can be used in conjunction with field monitoring efforts and/or laboratory testing to link effects due to stressors to possible outcomes within an ecosystem. In addition, PIC matrices could be combined with adverse outcome pathways to allow for ecosystem projection based on taxonomic conservation of molecular targets of chemicals to predict the likelihood of relative cross-species susceptibility. Overall, the present study shows how PIC matrices can integrate effects across the life cycles of multiple species, provide a linkage between endpoints observed in individual and population-level responses, and project outcomes at the community level for multiple generations for multiple species that compete for limited resources. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1406–1422. Published 2024. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Unlocking the food treasures:Trachyspermum ammi–A comprehensive exploration from field to pharmacology
Authors: Siddiquie Fatima , Ahsan Farogh , Mahmood Tarique , Ahmad Md. Afroz , Singh Aditya , Bano Shahzadi
Published: April 2024

Recent pharmacological research onTracyspermum ammihas unveiled its diverse medicinal properties, bolstering its status as a notable herbaceous plant. Cultivated extensively in regions like Egypt, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India,T. ammihas drawn attention due to its rich essential oil content, prominently thymol. Commonly used in food processing, such as in pickles, this plant exhibits a wide array of pharmacological effects, from diuretic and antibacterial properties to potential as an antitussive, antiplatelet, antihypertensive, bronchodilator, and antihyperlipidemic agent. While the medicinal potential ofT. ammiis acknowledged, challenges persist in optimizing its efficacy. The preclinical and clinical trials ofT. ammihave been performed and data are compiled to assess its efficacy in humans. Novel drug delivery systems, including nanoparticles, microemulsions, niosomes, and liposomes, among others, offer a means to overcome the constraints associated with conventional formulations. In conclusion, the comprehensive overview presented here highlights the morphological characteristics, food processing, chemical constituents, pharmacological significance, preclinical and clinical trials along with traditional use and novel dosage forms ofT. ammiwhich underscores the need for modernization in drug delivery systems to maximize its therapeutic potential thereby advancing the addition of herbal medicines into contemporary healthcare practices.
Functional assessments of Psidium guajava L. and Morus alba L. leaf extracts on postprandial glucose control
Authors: Hsu Yen‐Ping , Chen Wu‐Yuan , Hsieh Pao‐Chuan , Chu Yung‐Lin
Published: April 2024

Diabetes is a leading cause of death, according to statistics published by the Department of Health, Executive Yuan of Taiwan. In modern medicine, diabetes can be controlled using various medications; however, some drugs often have undesirable side effects. It therefore became a goal to find plant‐based material that can reduce glucose concentration in the blood while reducing the incidence of complications and not causing side effects. Alpha‐glucosidase inhibitors (AGIs) are effective glucose‐lowering medicines and are enzymes essential to carbohydrate digestion. Inhibition of α‐glucosidase leads to a delayed and reduced rise in postprandial blood glucose levels. This study evaluates the inhibitory effect of mixed extracts of Psidium guajava L. and Morus alba L. leaves on α‐glucosidase activity and postprandial hyperglycemia in normal and diabetic rats. The inhibition of α‐glucosidase activity was assayed in vitro. Half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of Psidium guajava L. and Morus alba L. were 2.25 and 0.1 mg/mL, respectively. The IC50 value of a commercial anti‐hyperglycemic agent (Glucobay) is 6.41 mg/mL. The IC50 value of a mixture of extracts of Psidium guajava L. and Morus alba L. was 0.07 mg/mL. In cytotoxicity tests, survival percentages and shape did not significantly affect the murine embryonic liver cell line (BNL CL.2) when treated with varying concentrations of mixture extracts for varying periods of time. In summary, Psidium guajava L. and Morus alba L. showed positive anti‐diabetes activity and suggested promising potential for alternative functional foods for diabetes mellitus (DM) patients.
Global health systems strengthening: FIGO's strategic view on reducing maternal and newborn mortality worldwide
Authors: Miranda Jezid , Miller Suellen , Alfieri Nikita , Lalonde Andre , Ivan‐Ortiz Edgar , Hanson Claudia , Steinholt Margit , Palshetkar Nandita , Suharjono Harris , Gebhardt Stefan , Dossou Jean‐Paul , Pascali‐Bonaro Debra , Jacobsson Bo , Okong Pius ,   the FIGO Committee on Health Systems Strengthening and Respectful Care
Published: April 2024

Objective

To demonstrate that successful health systems strengthening (HSS) projects have addressed disparities and inequities in maternal and perinatal care in low‐income countries.

Methods

A comprehensive literature review covered the period between 1980 and 2022, focusing on successful HSS interventions within health systems' seven core components that improved maternal and perinatal care.

Results

The findings highlight the importance of integrating quality interventions into robust health systems, as this has been shown to reduce maternal and newborn mortality. However, several challenges, including service delivery gaps, poor data use, and funding deficits, continue to hinder the delivery of quality care. To improve maternal and newborn health outcomes, a comprehensive HSS strategy is essential, which should include infrastructure enhancement, workforce skill development, access to essential medicines, and active community engagement.

Conclusion

Effective health systems, leadership, and community engagement are crucial for a comprehensive HSS approach to catalyze progress toward universal health coverage and global improvements in maternal and newborn health.
Materials properties and device applications of semiconducting bismuth oxyselenide
Authors: Li Menglu , Chen Pei , Zhao Yan , Zhao Mei , Leng Huaqian , Wang Yong , Ali Sharafat , Raziq Fazal , Wu Xiaoqiang , Yi Jiabao , Xiao Haiyan , Qiao Liang
Published: April 2024

Layered two‐dimensional (2D) materials have garnered marvelous attention in diverse fields, including sensors, capacitors, nanocomposites and transistors, owing to their distinctive structural morphologies and superior physicochemical properties. Recently, layered quasi‐2D materials, especially layered bismuth oxyselenide (Bi2O2Se), are of particular interest, because of their different interlayer interactions from other layered 2D materials. On this basis, this material offers richer and more intriguing physics, including high electron mobility, sizeable bandgap, and remarkable thermal and chemical durability, rendering it an utterly prospective contender for use in advanced electronic and optoelectronic applications. Herein, this article reviews the recent advances related with Bi2O2Se. Initially, its structural characterization, band structure, and basic properties are briefly introduced. Further, the synthetic strategies for the preparation of Bi2O2Se are presented. Furthermore, the diverse applications of Bi2O2Se in the field of electronics and optoelectronics, photocatalytic, solar cells and sensing were summarized in detail. Ultimately, the challenges and future perspectives of Bi2O2Se are included.

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How to optimize the systematic review process using AI tools
Authors: Fabiano Nicholas , Gupta Arnav , Bhambra Nishaant , Luu Brandon , Wong Stanley , Maaz Muhammad , Fiedorowicz Jess G. , Smith Andrew L. , Solmi Marco
Published: April 2024

Systematic reviews are a cornerstone for synthesizing the available evidence on a given topic. They simultaneously allow for gaps in the literature to be identified and provide direction for future research. However, due to the ever‐increasing volume and complexity of the available literature, traditional methods for conducting systematic reviews are less efficient and more time‐consuming. Numerous artificial intelligence (AI) tools are being released with the potential to optimize efficiency in academic writing and assist with various stages of the systematic review process including developing and refining search strategies, screening titles and abstracts for inclusion or exclusion criteria, extracting essential data from studies and summarizing findings. Therefore, in this article we provide an overview of the currently available tools and how they can be incorporated into the systematic review process to improve efficiency and quality of research synthesis. We emphasize that authors must report all AI tools that have been used at each stage to ensure replicability as part of reporting in methods.
Unique behavioral patterns of wandering colonies of Brevibacillus thermoruber on agar plates
Authors: Sakka Kazuo , Kihira Masaki , Kuhara Wataru , Mochida Akihiro , Ogawa Satoru , Kimura Tetsuya , Sakka Makiko
Published: April 2024

Brevibacillus thermoruber strain Nabari cells grow as widely spreading dendritic colonies on reasoner's 2A‐agar (1.5%) plates at around 55°C but as small motile colonies at 37°C. Motile colonies can be divided into colonies that move in straight or curved lines over long distances (wandering colonies), and colonies that rotate at a fixed location (rotating colonies). The addition of surfactant to the agar medium greatly increased the frequency of wandering colonies and facilitated the study of such colonies. The morphology of the wandering colonies varied: circular at the tip and pointed at the back, lemon‐shaped with pointed ends, crescent‐shaped, bullet‐shaped, fish‐like, and so on. A single colony may split into multiple colonies as it moves, or multiple colonies may merge into a single colony. The most surprising aspect of the movement of wandering colonies was that when a moving colony collides with another colony, it sometimes does not make a U‐turn, but instead retreats straight back, as if bouncing back. The migration mechanisms of wandering colonies are discussed based on optical microscopic observations of swimming patterns of single cells in water and scanning electron microscopy of the arrangement of bacterial cells in wandering colonies.
The contributions of social network support and reciprocity to posttraumatic stress symptoms across time among parents and caregivers impacted by the ABC Day Care Center fire in Hermosillo, Mexico
Authors: Arceneaux Austin , Jones Eric C. , Murphy Arthur D.
Published: April 2024

In 2009, a fire occurred in the ABC Day Care Center in Hermosillo, Mexico, that killed and injured many children who were in attendance that day. This study investigated the association between the posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) of socially connected parents and caregivers whose children were affected by the fire. Parents and caregivers of the children who were in attendance the day of the fire were interviewed 8–11 months and 20–23 months postfire. Linear network autocorrelation modeling was used to test for autocorrelations of the outcome variable count of PTSS within different configurations of the network of caregivers. No significant network effects appeared in models from the first interview period, but effects did appear in the second period, specifically in the three models in which network ties consisted of “receive informational support” (.220), “give and receive emotional support” (.167), and “give and receive both informational and emotional support” (.213). The findings suggest that in these three network configurations, as relationships grew in strength from the first interview to the second, the level of one's own PTSS was more comparable to the level of PTSS of one's social connections. Two theoretical mechanisms that may explain this result are homophily and social influence.
Racial discrimination increases the risk for nonremitting posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in traumatically injured Black individuals living in the United States
Authors: Torres Lucas , Geier Timothy J. , Tomas Carissa W. , Bird Claire M. , Timmer‐Murillo Sydney , Larson Christine L. , deRoon‐Cassini Terri A.
Published: April 2024

Traumatic, life‐threatening events are experienced commonly among the general U.S. population, yet Black individuals in the United States (i.e., Black Americans) exhibit higher prevalence rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and more severe symptoms than other populations. Although empirical research has noted a range of symptom patterns that follow traumatic injury, minimal work has examined the role of racial discrimination in relation to PTSD symptom trajectories. The current study assessed racial discrimination and PTSD symptom trajectories at 6 months postinjury across two separate samples of traumatically injured Black Americans (i.e. emergency department (ED)–discharged and hospitalized). Identified PTSD symptom trajectories largely reflect those previously reported (i.e., ED: nonremitting, moderate, remitting, and resilient; hospitalized: nonremitting, delayed, and resilient), although the resilient trajectory was less represented than expected given past research (ED: 55.8%, n = 62; hospitalized: 46.9%, n = 38). Finally, higher racial discrimination was associated with nonremitting, ED: relative risk ratio (RR) = 1.32, hospitalized: RR = 1.23; moderate, ED: RR = 1.18; and delayed, hospitalized: RR = 1.26, PTSD symptom trajectories. Overall, the current findings not only emphasize the inimical effects of racial discrimination but also demonstrate the unique ways in which race‐related negative events can impact PTSD symptom levels and recovery across time.
Local Alpha1‐Antitrypsin Accelerates the Healing of Tympanic Membrane Perforation in Mice
Authors: El‐Saied Sabri , Amar Amit , Kaplan Daniel M. , Shitrit Rivka , Kaminer Benyamin M. , Keshet Aharon , Lewis Eli C.
Published: April 2024

Background

Most tympanic membrane (TM) perforations heal spontaneously, but 10%–20% remain chronic and might lead to impaired hearing and recurrent middle ear infections. Alpha1‐antitrypsin (AAT) is a circulating tissue‐protective protein that is elevated under inflammatory conditions and is currently indicated for genetic AAT deficiency. Recently, AAT has been shown to promote tissue remodeling and inflammatory resolution.

Objective

This study aimed to examine the effects of local clinical‐grade AAT treatment on tissue repair in a mouse model of acute traumatic TM perforation.

Methods

Wild‐type mice underwent unilateral TM perforation and were either left untreated or treated locally with human AAT (9 × 10−3 mL at 20 mg/mL on days 0, 1, and 2; n = 15/group). The perforations were evaluated macroscopically on a serial basis. Mice were sacrificed on various days post‐injury, and TMs were excised for gene analysis by RT‐PCR.

Results

There were no adverse reactions in hAAT‐treated ears throughout the study period. Compared with untreated animals, TM closure occurred earlier in the treated group (days until full closure, median: 4 and 9, respectively). According to gene expression analysis, VEGF, TGFβ, and collagen‐5A1 were induced earlier in AAT‐treated mice (day 4–5 compared with day 9). Additionally, IL‐10 expression levels were higher and IL‐6 levels were lower in treated versus untreated mice.

Conclusion

A local tissue environment rich in AAT promotes early tissue repair in a perforated TM model both macroscopically and molecularly. Studies are underway to examine TM functionality and recombinant AAT formulations for micro‐dosing in the format of a single local application.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 134:3802–3806, 2024
Comparison of methods for DMSP measurements in dinoflagellate cultures
Authors: Caruana Amandine M. N. , Bucciarelli Eva , Deleporte Céline , Le Floc'h Emilie , Hervé Fabienne , Le Goff Manon
Published: April 2024

A comparison of three analytical methods (the indirect GC‐FPD and MIMS, and direct LC‐MS/MS) for dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) measurements was conducted to assess their accuracy and reliability. The three methods showed a linear response but are distinguished by their linearity range, the largest being for MIMS. All three methods showed good precision on Alexandrium minutum samples (2–12%). The variability between the three methods when comparing analyses of A. minutum replicates was 11%, with the DMSP measurements by LC‐MS/MS being the highest. This result also confirms that indirect DMSP measurement after hydrolysis for GC or MIMS methods does not lead to an overestimation of DMSP values in A. minutum. A special focus was made on the more recent LC‐MS/MS method including further assays in sample preparation and storage from cultures of the dinoflagellate A. minutum. Dinoflagellate cells should be harvested by gentle filtration (< 5 cm Hg) or slow centrifugation (500 × g) to retrieve the largest DMSP pool. For the LC‐MS/MS method, MeOH used for cell extraction should be added prior to freezing (to prevent DMSP degradation). Samples will then be stable in frozen storage for at least 2 months. Finally, direct and indirect methods are complementary for identifying the exact DMSP fraction among dimethylsulfide‐producing compounds that compose total and particulate DMSP pools issued from newly screened organisms or environmental samples.
Generation of 2.8 µm fiber laser using an Erbium‐doped ZBLAN double‐clad fiber in a linear‐cavity‐free space experimental setup
Authors: Cheng X.S. , Lip Z.H. , Tan S.J. , Latiff A.A. , Harun S.W.
Published: April 2024

Mid‐infrared (MIR) fiber lasers are highly demand after for a variety of technological applications, including uses such as laser surgery, frequency metrology, and spectroscopy. This paper demonstrates a stable continuous‐wave laser operation in the 2.8 µm using an Er3+‐doped ZBLAN fiber operating in a free space experimental setting. A laser output power of 12.4 mW was attained in a linear cavity when this fiber was pumped at 2.9 W of 980 nm laser diode.
Sodium triple quantum MR signal extraction using a single‐pulse sequence with single quantum time efficiency
Authors: Reichert Simon , Schepkin Victor , Kleimaier Dennis , Zöllner Frank G. , Schad Lothar R.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Sodium triple quantum (TQ) signal has been shown to be a valuable biomarker for cell viability. Despite its clinical potential, application of Sodium TQ signal is hindered by complex pulse sequences with long scan times. This study proposes a method to approximate the TQ signal using a single excitation pulse without phase cycling.

Methods

The proposed method is based on a single excitation pulse and a comparison of the free induction decay (FID) with the integral of the FID combined with a shifting reconstruction window. The TQ signal is calculated from this FID only. As a proof of concept, the method was also combined with a multi‐echo UTE imaging sequence on a 9.4 T preclinical MRI scanner for the possibility of fast TQ MRI.

Results

The extracted Sodium TQ signals of single‐pulse and spin echo FIDs were in close agreement with theory and TQ measurement by traditional three‐pulse sequence (TQ time proportional phase increment [TQTPPI)]. For 2%, 4%, and 6% agar samples, the absolute deviations of the maximum TQ signals between SE and theoretical (time proportional phase increment TQTPPI) TQ signals were less than 1.2% (2.4%), and relative deviations were less than 4.6% (6.8%). The impact of multi‐compartment systems and noise on the accuracy of the TQ signal was small for simulated data. The systematic error was <3.4% for a single quantum (SQ) SNR of 5 and at maximum <2.5% for a multi‐compartment system. The method also showed the potential of fast in vivo SQ and TQ imaging.

Conclusion

Simultaneous SQ and TQ MRI using only a single‐pulse sequence and SQ time efficiency has been demonstrated. This may leverage the full potential of the Sodium TQ signal in clinical applications.
In vivo diffusion MRI of the human heart using a 300 mT/m gradient system
Authors: Afzali Maryam , Mueller Lars , Coveney Sam , Fasano Fabrizio , Evans Christopher John , Engel Maria , Szczepankiewicz Filip , Teh Irvin , Dall'Armellina Erica , Jones Derek K. , Schneider Jürgen E.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This work reports for the first time on the implementation and application of cardiac diffusion‐weighted MRI on a Connectom MR scanner with a maximum gradient strength of 300 mT/m. It evaluates the benefits of the increased gradient performance for the investigation of the myocardial microstructure.

Methods

Cardiac diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) experiments were performed on 10 healthy volunteers using a spin‐echo sequence with up to second‐ and third‐order motion compensation ( and ) and , and 1000 (twice the commonly used on clinical scanners). Mean diffusivity (MD), fractional anisotropy (FA), helix angle (HA), and secondary eigenvector angle (E2A) were calculated for b = [100, 450] and b = [100, 1000] for both and .

Results

The MD values with are slightly higher than with with for and for . A reduction in MD is observed by increasing the from 450 to 1000 ( for and for ). The difference between FA, E2A, and HA was not significant in different schemes ().

Conclusion

This work demonstrates cardiac DWI in vivo with higher b‐value and higher order of motion compensated diffusion gradient waveforms than is commonly used. Increasing the motion compensation order from to and the maximum b‐value from 450 to 1000 affected the MD values but FA and the angular metrics (HA and E2A) remained unchanged. Our work paves the way for cardiac DWI on the next‐generation MR scanners with high‐performance gradient systems.
Nonlinear response modelling of material systems using constrained Gaussian processes
Authors: Herath Sumudu , Chakraborty Souvik
Published: April 2024

This article investigates the suitability of constrained Gaussian process regression in predicting nonlinear mechanical responses of material systems with notably reduced uncertainties. This study reinforces the conventional Gaussian processes with mechanics‐informed prior knowledge observed in various kinematic responses. Stiffening and softening responses of material systems mostly demonstrate at least one of the boundedness, monotonicity and convexity conditions with respect to some kinematic variables. These relationships or impositions in turn are encoded into a constrained Gaussian process for prediction, uncertainty quantification and extrapolation. Using numerous examples and comparative studies, this article evidently proves that the use of constrained Gaussian processes is data‐efficient, highly accurate, yields low uncertainties, recovers model overfitting and extrapolates very well compared to unconstrained or conventional Gaussian processes. Moreover, the usability of the proposed numerical method across various engineering modelling domains such as multiscale homogenisation, experimentation, structural optimisation, material constitutive modelling and structural idealisation is demonstrated.
Overweight/obesity, gestational weight gain, postpartum weight retention, and maternal/neonatal complications in the military
Authors: Krukowski Rebecca A. , Solomon Erin , Lang Juan , Stone Emily , You Wen , Burns Rosemary Estevez , Copeland Carol , Bursac Zoran , Hare Marion E. , Waters Teresa M.
Published: April 2024

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of overweight/obesity and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) among military beneficiaries and to assess associations of these risk factors with maternal/neonatal complications and substantial postpartum weight retention (PPWR).

Methods

We obtained data for 48,391 TRICARE beneficiaries who gave birth in 2018 or 2019 in the United States. We used logistic regression and ANOVA to examine relationships among overweight/obesity, GWG, maternal/neonatal complications, and substantial PPWR.

Results

Most TRICARE beneficiaries (75%) had excessive GWG, and 42% had substantial PPWR. Dependents were less likely than active‐duty women to have excessive GWG (odds ratio [OR] = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.60–0.88). Women with excessive GWG were three times more likely to have substantial PPWR (OR = 3.57, 95% CI: 3.14–4.06). Those with excessive GWG were more likely to have maternal/neonatal complications (e.g., pregnancy‐induced hypertension, cesarean delivery).

Conclusions

Excessive GWG is frequent among TRICARE beneficiaries, particularly active‐duty personnel, and is strongly associated with costly maternal/neonatal complications. Substantial PPWR is also common in this population, with excessive GWG as a key risk factor.
How can “Katowice as European City of Science” change Silesia region: Recognising perspectives of private companies
Authors: Strzelecki Artur , Austen Agata , Klimontowicz Monika , Jaciow Magdalena , Wolny Robert
Published: April 2024

The study analyses, the perception of the European City of Science (ECS) initiative planned event in Katowice in the context of the city and region's development in the eyes of private companies. It has been argued that this honour may change the city's prestige and become the source of the city and the region's development, not only through building the city's recognisable brand but also its social capital. Using focus research as a method enables not only to collect empirical data but can also be treated as a form of public participation. The study results contribute to the growing body of literature on public engagement and co‐creation as well as place branding. The study's findings show the companies' expectations concerning the role of universities and their participation in the region's development. They were the foundation for preparing a set of suggestions for local governments to successfully implement the ECS initiative. This paper is the first to examine the process of preparing a city to become an ECS, as demonstrated through the case study of Katowice.
Quality study of animal‐derived traditional Chinese medicinal materials based on spectral technology: Calculus bovis as a case
Authors: Tian Mengyin , Han Ying , Ma Xiaobo , Liang Wenyan , Meng Zhaoqing , Cao Guiyun , Luo Yi , Zang Hengchang
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Calculus bovis (C. bovis) is a typical traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) derived from animals, which has a remarkable curative effect and high price.

Objectives

Rapid identification of C. bovis from different types was realized based on spectral technology, and a rapid quantitative analysis method for the main quality control indicator bilirubin was established.

Methods

We conducted a supervised and unsupervised pattern recognition study on 44 batches of different types of C. bovis by five spectral pretreatment methods. Three variable selection methods were used to extract the essential information, and the partial least squares regression (PLSR) quantitative model of bilirubin by near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was constructed.

Results

The partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) model could achieve 100% accuracy in identifying different types of C. bovis. The R2 of the NIR quantitative model was 0.979, which is close to 1, and the root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) was 2.3515, indicating the good prediction ability of the model.

Conclusion

The study was carried out to further improve the basic data of quality control of C. bovis and help the high‐quality development of TCM derived from animals.
Utilization of cross‐correlation function for assessment of replication quality in ultrasonic embossing of microchannels on polymethyl methacrylate
Authors: Yildirim Ender , Ulku Mert Kerem , Arikan M. A. Sahir
Published: April 2024

Ultrasonic embossing—a process where a horn vibrating at 20–30 kHz compresses on a thermoplastic substrate sitting on a mold to replicate the features on the mold to the substrate—is a promising method for fabricating microchannels on thermoplastics due to reduced cycle time and relatively low equipment cost. Replication quality in ultrasonic embossing has been investigated in the literature by primarily referring to the replication depth. However, this approach does not fully reflect the fidelity between the mold and the replicated feature, especially at the side walls, which are typically designed to be vertical in microchannels. We propose using cross‐correlation—a method that quantifies the similarity between two signals by measuring the overlap of their patterns—between the derivative of the mold profile and the embossed profile as a figure of merit that accurately reflects the fidelity of the side wall. For testing purposes, we embossed straight microchannels on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) using micron‐scaled protrusions on a brass mold fabricated by CNC milling. The mold comprised 100, 300, and 1000‐μm‐wide protrusions of same designed height of 300 μm, resulting in aspect ratios (AR) of 3, 1, and 1/3, respectively. Cross‐correlations between the derivatives of the profiles ranged between 0.50 and 1.00, while cross‐correlations between the profiles were greater than 0.97 in all cases, showing the sensitivity imposed by utilizing the derivatives. Setting average of all cross‐correlation values (0.8) as the quality threshold, we observed that high AR (3) features were replicated at low quality, while low AR (1/3) features were replicated at high quality, regardless of the process parameters. In replicating unit AR features, the process parameters were observed to affect the quality, where the combination of vibration time and pressure was the most significant compared to individual effects of the parameters.

Highlights

Parameters' effect on replication of varied aspect ratio features was assessed.

Assessment was carried out by cross‐correlating mold and channel profiles.

Cross‐correlating derivatives of profiles provide a more sensitive means.

General rules for replication quality in ultrasonic embossing were driven.
Borderline content and platformised speech governance: Mapping TikTok's moderation controversies in South and Southeast Asia
Authors: Liu Diyi
Published: April 2024

Content moderation comes with trade‐offs and moral dilemmas, particularly for transnational platforms governing borderline content where the boundaries of acceptability are subject to debate. While extensive research has explored the legality and legitimacy of platformised speech governance in established democracies, few address the complexities of less‐than‐democratic developing nations. Through sociolegal analysis and controversy mapping of TikTok's localised moderation in South and Southeast Asia, the study examines how major actors negotiate the shifting boundaries of online speech. The analysis reveals that neither the platform nor regional states are well‐positioned to achieve sound governance of borderline content. Primarily, TikTok localises its moderation based on pragmatic necessity rather than moral obligations, deliberately sidestepping contentious political controversies. Governments demonstrate determined efforts to control online discourse, leveraging legal uncertainty to further political agendas. Thus, local content governance often relies on vague rationales around securitisation and morality. The contradictory motives of (de)politicising borderline moderation seemingly counterbalance each other, yet in practice lead to an accountability vacuum where legitimate interests are sidelined. Given the lack of normative common ground, ensuring procedural justice and encouraging civic participation are essential to counteract rhetoric that rationalises imposition of certain speech norms hinging on imbalanced political power.
Ring‐opening metathesis polymerization for synthesizing molecular bottlebrushes via the grafting‐through strategy
Authors: Hou Wangmeng , Yin Xiuzhe , Zhou Yingqing , Shi Yi , Chen Yongming
Published: April 2024

Molecular bottlebrush (MBB) has been considered as an important type of unimolecular nanomaterial for widespread applications ranging from energy to biomedicine, due to its typical one‐dimensional molecular conformation with tunable aspect ratio and chemical composition. In the recently decades, the ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) combined with the grafting‐through strategy has emerged as a powerful tool for synthesizing MBBs with various architecture, including (multi)block MBBs, core‐shell MBBs, random MBBs and Janus MBBs et al. In this review, the recent advances on the synthesis of MBBs including the rational preparation of NB terminated macromonomers (MMs) and the grafting‐through ROMP are briefly summarized. Moreover, the emerging progress on the grafting‐through ROMP performed in the aqueous media is also highlighted.
Proton exchange membranes based on sulfonated polybutylene fumarate: Preparation and characterization
Authors: Shamsabadi Amirsaeed , Tohidian Mahdi , Hemmasi Ehsan , Makki Hesam
Published: April 2024

Based on a novel unsaturated polyester, polybutylene fumarate (PBF), a series of sulfonated proton exchange membranes were prepared and characterized for direct methanol fuel cell application. In this work, PBF underwent sulfonation at different degrees, and the optimum degree of sulfonation (DS) was identified by assessing the hydrolytic stability. In the second step, an effective strategy to enhance the membranes' proton conductivity was adopted by the addition of the 2‐(1H‐Imidazol‐2‐yl) acetic acid (Im‐COOH) compound as a proton‐conducting agent to the sulfonated PBF (SPBF) matrix with the optimum DS. The results unveiled significant alterations in the physicochemical properties of PBF due to sulfonation, including an elevation in water uptake and the glass transition temperature (Tg), accompanied by the disappearance of the crystallinity within SPBF. In terms of electrochemical characteristics, the SPBF‐17.5 PEM demonstrated a proton conductivity of 3.36 × 10−3 S cm−1 and a methanol permeability of 1.068 × 10−7 cm2 s−1, yielding a selectivity of approximately 31,460 S s cm−3. Furthermore, the attractive interactions between SO3H and NH groups further elevated proton conductivity to 4.12 × 10−3 S cm−1, accompanied by a decrease in methanol permeability to 0.942 × 10−7 cm2 s−1, enhancing the selectivity parameter to 43,736 S s cm−3.
Early identification of SOX17 deficiency in infants to guide management of heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension using PDA stent to create reverse Potts shunt physiology
Authors: Ostler Heidi , Fall Carolyn , El‐Said Howaida , Justino Henri , Haldeman Shylah , Carroll Jeanne , Rao Rohit
Published: April 2024

Heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (HPAH) is a rare progressive condition that includes patients with an identified genetic cause of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). HPAH and idiopathic PAH (IPAH) have an estimated combined incidence of 0.5–0.9 cases per million children‐years. Several pathogenic variants have been associated with HPAH in children and adults, including genes BMPR2, TBX4, and ACVRL1, and more rarely with variants in genes such as SOX17. HPAH is often difficult to manage and has poor prognosis despite advances in medical therapy with many patients progressing to lung transplantation, right heart failure and death. Surgical and transcatheter Potts shunt creation can reduce systolic burden and has shown reduction in morbidity and mortality in children. Early genetic testing can provide both diagnostic and prognostic value in managing and counseling children with severe PAH and it can guide transcatheter or surgical management in refractory cases despite maximal medical therapies. We describe a patient with HPAH (SOX17 mutation) who underwent percutaneous patent ductus arteriosus stent for right ventricle decompression at 2 months of age with clinical management guidance by genetic testing results.
Motion planning for off‐road autonomous driving based on human‐like cognition and weight adaptation
Authors: Wang Yuchun , Gong Cheng , Gong Jianwei , Jia Peng
Published: April 2024

Driving in an off‐road environment is challenging for autonomous vehicles due to the complex and varied terrain. To ensure stable and efficient travel, the vehicle requires consideration and balancing of environmental factors, such as undulations, roughness, and obstacles, to generate optimal trajectories that can adapt to changing scenarios. However, traditional motion planners often utilize a fixed cost function for trajectory optimization, making it difficult to adapt to different driving strategies in challenging irregular terrains and uncommon scenarios. To address these issues, we propose an adaptive motion planner based on human‐like cognition and cost evaluation for off‐road driving. First, we construct a multilayer map describing different features of off‐road terrains, including terrain elevation, roughness, obstacle, and artificial potential field map. Subsequently, we employ a convolutional neural network‐long short‐term memory network to learn the trajectories planned by human drivers in various off‐road scenarios. Then, based on human‐like generated trajectories in different environments, we design a primitive‐based trajectory planner that aims to mimic human trajectories and cost weight selection, generating trajectories that are consistent with the dynamics of off‐road vehicles. Finally, we compute optimal cost weights and select and extend behavioral primitives to generate highly adaptive, stable, and efficient trajectories. We validate the effectiveness of the proposed method through experiments in a desert off‐road environment with complex terrain and varying road conditions. The experimental results show that the proposed human‐like motion planner has excellent adaptability to different off‐road conditions. It shows real‐time operation, greater stability, and more human‐like planning ability in diverse and challenging scenarios.