bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tree Frogs Alter Their Behavioral Strategies While Landing On Vertical Perches
Authors: Zhou Rui , Wang Zhouyi , Song Yi , Liu Shuhao , Dai Zhendong
Published: September 2024

As an arboreal animal, tree frogs face diverse challenges when landing on perches, including variations in substrate shape, diameter, flexibility, and angular distribution, with potentially significant consequences for failed landings. Research on tree frog landing behavior on perches, especially concerning landing on vertical substrates, remains limited. This study investigated the landing strategies (forelimb, abdomen, and hindlimb) of tree frogs on vertical perches, considering perch diameter. Although all three strategies were observed across perches of different diameters, their frequencies differed. Forelimb landing was most common across all perch diameters, with its frequency increasing with perch diameter, while abdomen and hindlimb landing strategies were more prevalent on smaller diameter perches. During the process from take‐off to landing, the body axis underwent some deviation owing to the asymmetric movement of the left and right limbs; however, these deviations did not significantly differ among landing strategies. Additionally, different landing strategies led to variations in the landing forces, with abdominal landings generating significantly higher impact forces than the other two strategies. These findings provide insights into the biomechanics and biological adaptations of tree frogs when landing on challenging substrates, such as leaves or branches.
Investigating the Inhibition of Diindolylmethane Derivatives on SARS‐CoV‐2 Main Protease
Authors: Li Wenjin , Chang Xiaoyu , Zhou Hang , Yu Wenquan , Wang Ruiyong , Chang Junbiao
Published: September 2024

The SARS‐CoV‐2 main protease (Mpro) is an essential enzyme that promotes viral transcription and replication. Mpro conserved nature in different variants and its nonoverlapping nature with human proteases make it an attractive target for therapeutic intervention against SARS‐CoV‐2. In this work, the interaction mechanism between Mpro and diindolylmethane derivatives was investigated by molecular docking, enzymatic inhibition assay, UV–vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Results of IC50 values show that 1p (9.87 μM) was the strongest inhibitor for Mpro in this work, which significantly inhibited the activity of Mpro. The binding constant (4.07 × 105 Lmol−1), the quenching constant (5.41 × 105 Lmol−1), and thermodynamic parameters indicated that the quenching mode of 1p was static quenching, and the main driving forces between 1p and Mpro are hydrogen bond and van der Waals force. The influence of molecular structure on the binding is investigated. Chlorine atoms and methoxy groups are favorable for the diindolylmethane derivative inhibitors of Mpro. This work confirms the changes in the microenvironment of Mpro by 1p, and provides clues for the design of potential inhibitors.
Z‐Spectral MRI Quantifies the Mass and Metabolic Activity of Adipose Tissues With Fat‐Water‐Fraction and Amide‐Proton‐Transfer Contrasts
Authors: Cai Zimeng , Zhong Qiaoling , Zhang Daming , Feng Yanqiu , Wang Qian , Yang Yuanbo , Xu Yongzhou , Liang Changhong , Liu Zaiyi , Cai Kejia
Published: August 2024

Background

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is metabolically activatable and plays an important role in obesity and metabolic diseases. With reduced fat‐water‐fraction (FWF) compared with white adipose tissue (WAT), BAT mass and its functional activation may be quantified with Z‐spectra MRI, with built‐in FWF and the metabolic amide proton transfer (APT) contrasts.

Purpose

To investigate if Z‐spectral MRI can quantify the mass and metabolic activity of adipose tissues.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

Seven groups of 8‐week‐old male rats, including two groups (n = 7 per group) for in vivo MRI study and five groups (n = 5 per group) for ex vivo validation; 12 young and healthy volunteers with 6 male and 6 female.

Field Strength/Sequence

The 7 T small animal and 3 T clinical systems, T2‐weighted imaging, Rapid Acquisition with Relaxation Enhancement (RARE) readout based chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) Z‐spectral MRI sequence.

Assessment

Quantified FWF and APT from Z‐spectra in rats before and after norepinephrine (NE) stimulation and in healthy human subjects; ex vivo measurements of total proteins in BAT from rats.

Statistical Tests

Two‐tailed unpaired Student's t‐tests and repeated measures ANOVA. P‐value <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Decreased FWF (from 39.6% ± 7.2% before NE injection to 16.4% ± 7.2% 120 minutes after NE injection, P < 0.0001) and elevated APT (from 1.1% ± 0.5% before NE injection to 2.9% ± 0.5% 120 minutes after NE injection, P < 0.0001) signals in BAT were observed with in vivo Z‐spectral MRI in rats injected with NE at 7 T MRI. At clinical 3 T, Z‐spectral MRI was used to quantify the FWF (58.5% ± 7.2% in BAT and 73.7% ± 6.5% in WAT with P < 0.0001) and APT (2.6% ± 0.8% in BAT and 0.9% ± 0.3% in WAT with P < 0.0001) signals in healthy volunteers. APT signals of BAT were negatively correlated with the BMI in humans (r = 0.71).

Data Conclusion

Endogenous Z‐spectral MRI was demonstrated to simultaneously quantify BAT mass and function based on its FWF and APT contrasts.

Level of Evidence

2.

Technical Efficacy Stage

1.
The level of expression of HPV16 early transcripts is not associated with the natural history of cervical lesions
Authors: Jacquin Elise , Saunier Maëlle , Lepiller Quentin , Monnien Franck , Mauny Frédéric , Ramanah Rajeev , Carcopino Xavier , Riethmuller Didier , Mougin Christiane , Prétet Jean‐Luc
Published: September 2024

The natural history of cervical cancer is closely linked to that of high‐risk human papillomaviruses (HPV) infection. It is recognized that upon HPV DNA integration, partial or complete loss of the E2 open reading frame precludes expression of the corresponding protein, resulting in upregulation of the E6 and E7 viral oncoproteins. To better characterize HPV16 infection at the cervical level, viral load, viral DNA integration, and viral early transcript expression (E2, E5, and E6) were analyzed in a series of 158 cervical specimens representative of the full spectrum of cervical disease. Overall, the frequency of early transcript detection varied from 45% to 90% and tended to increase with lesion severity. In addition, the levels of E2, E5, and E6 transcript expression were slightly higher in high‐grade lesions than in cervical specimens without abnormalities. Notably, early transcript expression was clearly associated with viral load, and no inverse correlation was found between the expression of E2 and E6 transcripts. No clear association was found between early transcript expression and HPV16 DNA integration, with the exception that samples with a fully integrated HPV16 genome did not harbor E2 or E5 transcripts. In conclusion, early HPV16 transcript expression appears to be associated with viral load rather than lesion grade. From a practical point of view, quantification of HPV16 early transcripts is difficult to translate into a relevant biomarker for cervical cancer screening.
Locking plate augmentation of polymethylmethacrylate‐filled distal femoral defects: A biomechanical study
Authors: Ferlauto Harrison R. , Belanger Bruno , Lazarides Alexander L. , Visgauss Julia D. , Brigman Brian E. , Eward William C.
Published: September 2024

Benign, locally aggressive tumors of the distal femur are typically treated with intralesional curettage and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cementation. However, it is not known whether plate fixation should be added to biomechanically augment these PMMA‐filled defects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of two competing techniques for reconstruction of a distal femoral defect. For this biomechanical study, we used 12 composite femurs with properties comparable to bone. In nine femurs, identical contained medial distal femoral defects were created using a robotic arm. Group A contained three intact femurs, Group B three femurs with an unfilled defect, Group C three femurs reconstructed with PMMA alone, and Group D three femurs reconstructed with PMMA plus a medial locking plate. Locations of greatest stress concentration were determined by PhotoStress analysis, then three strain gauges were applied to each specimen at these high‐stress locations. Specimens were loaded within a physiologic range followed by loading to failure. Outcome measures included construct stiffness, strain along the distal femur, and load at failure. Results showed that stiffness and strain were not significantly different between reconstructive techniques; however, both techniques reduced tensile strain along the popliteal surface by approximately 40% compared to non‐reconstructed specimens. All specimens failed at the femoral neck before failing at the distal femur. These findings suggest that plate augmentation of PMMA‐filled distal femoral defects like the one in this study offers insignificant biomechanical benefit within physiologic loads and therefore may be unnecessary.
Taxonomic and stable isotope analyses of mammal remains from the Lateglacial site of Grotta Polesini (central Italy): Paleoenviromental implications
Authors: Giustini Francesca , Iannucci Alessio , Porcelli Giovanni , Micarelli Ileana , Brilli Mauro , Sardella Raffaele , Mecozzi Beniamino
Published: September 2024

Grotta Polesini is one of the most famous paleontological and archaeological sites of central Italy, which testifies to its human occupation during the Lateglacial. The site comprises a cave system where systematic excavation campaigns have been carried out since the 1950s. In 1974, 656 mammal remains were collected but never studied. This fossil collection is here described for the first time through taxonomic and stable isotope analyses of the enamel of selected mammal teeth. The aim is to reconstruct the paleoenvironmental and climatic conditions of the site and to offer new information on terrestrial ecosystems during the Lateglacial in central Italy. The faunal assemblage studied herein, in addition to other species reported in previous works, suggests cold climate conditions. We also describe a right radius of an adult individual of Homo sapiens, increasing the human fossil record of the site. Carbon isotope data point to a scenario dominated by C3 plants in open and dry habitats, such as grasslands and steppes, in accordance with the pollen data from central Italy. The oxygen isotope data suggest the use of water resources with a local origin, i.e. local precipitation and surface waters with a provenance from the nearby Apennine chain. The ecology of the taxa influenced the oxygen isotope values, especially in the case of semi‐obligate to non‐obligate drinker species.
Future climate suitability of Hemileia vastatrix in arabica coffee under CMIP6 scenarios
Authors: de Oliveira Aparecido Lucas Eduardo , Torsoni Guilherme Botega , Lorençone João Antonio , Lorençone Pedro Antonio , de Lima Rafael Fausto , de Souza Rolim Glauco , Saqui Diego , de Oliveira Junior Geraldo Gomes
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND

Coffee (Coffea arabica L.) is one of the most important commodities today, with a high economic value worldwide. Coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix Berk. et Br.) has been showing a high impact on Brazilian coffee trees among the various diseases that attack coffee. The climate has a great influence on the development of diseases, especially when fungi are the causal agents. This study aimed to carry out the zoning of climate favorability for coffee leaf rust in the traditional and main coffee‐producing regions of Brazil. The study was conducted in 13 locations in the states of Paraná, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Goiás and Bahia. Air temperature and daily precipitation data for the current scenario were collected using the WorldClim version 2.1 platform for the last climatological normal and future climate change data. The ideal climate conditions for coffee leaf rust consist of a mean air temperature ranging from 21 to 25 °C and precipitation >30 mm per month. The Coupled Model Intercomparison Projects scenarios associated with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports consisted of the Shared Socio‐Economic Pathways SSP‐1 2.6, SSP‐2 4.5, SSP‐3 7.0 and SSP‐5 8.5, the latter being considered one of the most catastrophic. All steps to carry out the suitability zoning were performed in a tool using the QGIS geographic information system software.

RESULTS

Zoning for coffee leaf rust had three classes: favorable, relatively favorable and unfavorable. Currently, the largest coffee‐producing region in Brazil has 49.1% of its analyzed area classified as favorable, 39.2% as relatively favorable and 11.7% as unfavorable. In the current scenario, Patrocínio and Três Pontas are locations with high coffee production in which the favorable class is predominant. The state of Minas Gerais has an annual mean of 55.3% of its entire territory apt for the disease, with the highest occurrence between September and March.

CONCLUSIONS

Climate change has a negative impact on the development of coffee leaf rust, mainly in the long term, as in the period of 2081–2100, in which the SSP‐5 8.5 scenario led to a decrease in the favorable and unfavorable areas and an increase in the relatively favorable areas of 9.8%, 18.6% and 71.5% for the Brazilian territory, respectively. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Role of interleukins in dermatology: Exploring the immune mechanisms in skin diseases
Authors: Prados‐Carmona Alvaro , Navarro‐Triviño Francisco J. , Ruiz‐Villaverde Ricardo , Corell Alfredo
Published: September 2024

Interleukins are central in the modulation of immune responses. This narrative review aims to summarize the growing evidence on their significance as key drivers of numerous cutaneous diseases with a special focus in some of the more prevalent chronic inflammatory dermatologic diseases such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, urticaria, and hidradenitis suppurativa. Additionally, we discuss their relevance in the recent developments in targeted therapies that have significantly transformed the management of these skin conditions. To this end, we have conducted a comprehensive search through the Cochrane Library and Database of Systematic Reviews and the MEDLINE search engine, and we have summarized the available clinical evidence considering up to 466 records including meta‐analyses, systematic reviews, reviews and clinical trials. Ultimately, this review intents to foster both dermatologist and non‐dermatologist physicians' understanding of the immunology behind the clinical manifestations of some of the most common inflammatory skin diseases and engage with the novel therapeutic approaches by providing accessible insights into the implications of interleukin pathways dysregulation.
Factors influencing shorebird use of post‐harvest flooded rice fields in California's Sacramento Valley
Authors: Conlisk Erin E. , Golet Gregory H. , Reynolds Mark , Elliott Nathan , Reiter Matthew E.
Published: September 2024

Because of the importance of the Central Valley of California, USA, to shorebirds along the Pacific Flyway, conservation investments have been made in the area's agricultural fields and managed wetlands. Increasingly, landowner incentive programs are being used to deliver shorebird habitat, presenting opportunities to answer remaining questions about which implementation strategies and field management practices are most effective at attracting birds. To provide management guidance for these investments, we collected and analyzed 5 years of data (2014–2018) on shorebird abundance in flooded rice fields enrolled in a dynamic habitat incentive program. The program incentivized flooding in fallow and post‐harvest rice fields in seasons when habitat is relatively sparse, specifically the early fall and late spring. Across nearly 9,000 field observations over 5 years, we explored the relationship between abundance and density (birds/ha) of shorebirds and vegetation cover, soil clay, landscape‐level flooding, and local flood timing, duration, and depth. We observed more shorebirds in fields that were approximately 50% flooded, had water depths of 5–10 cm, and had minimal rice straw or stubble cover, with strong or very strong evidence for each of these relationships. We found that the timing of habitat provisioning was important, with moderate evidence that earlier fall flooding and strong evidence that the duration of fall flooding was associated with higher shorebird density. We observed lower shorebird densities in locations with ample flooded rice habitat in surrounding areas, potentially because shorebirds spread out across the landscape. We found very strong evidence that flooding consistency, either at a site that was continually flooded over many months or a site that had been flooded in previous years, was associated with higher shorebird density. Soil clay content was associated with decreased observed shorebird density, potentially through its influence on the ability of shorebirds to forage for invertebrate prey. These results suggest best practices for shorebird habitat creation in agricultural landscapes, providing important information for conservation and population recovery.
Assessment of nutrient differences in detached soil particles between cropland and revegetated abandoned land
Authors: Ramos María Concepción , Lizaga Iván , Gaspar Leticia , Catalá Arturo , Navas Ana
Published: September 2024

Cropland (CRL) abandonment is a worldwide phenomenon of land use change with significant impacts on agro‐ecosystems. This research attempts to deepen the analysis of the positive and negative effects arising by focusing on the changes in soil properties and the amount and composition of soil particles detached after several periods of rainfall and the resulting exported sediment that occurs in abandoned areas with natural revegetation compared to CRL. The study was carried out in an agroforestry catchment with a temperate climate, on which CRL and abandoned land with natural vegetation were compared. The soil was sampled along two representative hillslopes integrating elements of the landscape and land use/land covers. Sediments were collected after seven periods in which flood events were recorded during the period July 2016 to December 2017, using artificial‐lawn mats. Soil and sediment composition (texture, soil organic carbon [SOC] and nutrients [total nitrogen and total phosphorous]) under both land uses were assessed and compared and related to rainfall characteristics using principal component analysis. Nutrient enrichment factors in the sediments compared to soils were also evaluated. The results highlight that after abandonment, SOC increased significantly, reaching contents almost three times higher than in CRL. Consequently, soil erodibility decreased, resulting in substantially lower sediment generation after erosive rainfall events. On average, sediment generation was three times lower in abandoned areas than in CRL, despite their steeper slopes. Soil total nitrogen also increased on abandoned lands, reaching values about twice as high as those in CRL. However, total phosphorous content was almost twice as high in CRL than in abandoned land posing a potential risk for water due to higher erosion rates recorded in CRL. The results confirmed the association of phosphorous with smaller particles and also demonstrated the total phosphorous‐SOC link in abandoned land. Furthermore, the effect of rainfall intensity on phosphorous mobilisation was confirmed, whilst nitrogen losses were mainly related to the total amount of rainfall recorded. In a scenario of increasing extreme precipitation, both total amount and increased precipitation intensity may exacerbate water pollution problems following nutrient loss in cultivated areas. This research contributes to identifying the impacts on agroforestry systems within the current context of converting natural areas into cultivated land, whilst in other regions revegetated natural areas are developed from abandoned agricultural land.
Improving the Performance of the Machining Process by Using Ultra‐Advanced Tools in a Clean Turning of Inconel 686 Using the Minimum Quantity Lubrication Method
Authors: Hosseini Tazehkandi Ahmadreza , Shabgard Mohammadreza , Tutunchi Abolfazl
Published: September 2024

The high tensile strength and high resistance of nickel‐based superalloy 686 against high temperatures and corrosion rates have made it a widely used in important applications such as the aerospace industry, high pollution‐ and corrosion‐resistance equipment manufacturing and petrochemical industry. Therefore, the machining of this advanced alloy with its unique properties is extremely important and can be challenging. Significant increase in input parameters levels, reduction of machining costs, improvement of surface and subsurface properties and clean production are among the issues that should be considered in dealing with Inconel 686 turning operations. Simultaneous application of advanced tools such as polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) and optimised minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) method and evaluating the results obtained with a wide range of output parameters related to machining process performance and tribological properties can be proposed as an innovation and a solution to this problem in this article. This study analyses several output parameters with different speeds and feeds to evaluate the effect of cutting insert type on machining process performance and tribological properties. The output parameters include tool wear, residual stress, cutting zone temperature, surface smoothness, machining forces and workpiece surface defects. The results indicated that using the optimised MQL method reduces the size of lubricant droplets and increases the surface covered by cooling. With these changes, the performance of the machining process and the parameters related to the surface integrity increase significantly. Among the parameters associated with the performance of the machining process, the PCD tool reduces the cutting zone temperature by 23%, the tool wear by 19% and the machining forces by 18% compared to the PCBN tool. In the parameters related to surface integrity, this method reduces the residual stress by 19% and the surface roughness by 9% compared to the PCBN tool. From the production index perspective, the PCD tool can significantly increase the cutting speed and feed rate, reducing production time and costs.
The canonical representation of the Drinfeld curve
Authors: Laurent Lucas , Köck Bernhard
Published: September 2024

If is a smooth projective curve over an algebraically closed field and is a group of automorphisms of , the canonical representation of is given by the induced ‐linear action of on the vector space of holomorphic differentials on . Computing it is still an open problem in general when the cover is wildly ramified. In this paper, we fix a prime power , we consider the Drinfeld curve, that is, the curve given by the equation  over together with its standard action by , and decompose as a direct sum of indecomposable representations of , thus solving the aforementioned problem in this case.
Effects of Non‐Invasive Brain Stimulation for Degenerative Cerebellar Ataxia: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Matsugi Akiyoshi , Ohtsuka Hiroyuki , Bando Kyota , Kondo Yuki , Kikuchi Yutaka
Published: September 2024

Background

This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness of non‐invasive brain stimulation (NIBS), including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), as a neurological intervention for degenerative cerebellar ataxia (DCA) based on preregistration (PROSPERO: CRD42023379192).

Objective

We aimed to explore clinical outcomes and examine the parameters associated with NIBS efficacy in DCA patients.

Methods

The PubMed, Cochrane Library, CHINAL, and PEDro databases were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data extraction, quality assessment, and heterogeneity analyses were conducted; the Grading, Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation was used to assess the quality of evidence and a meta‐analysis was performed.

Results

Seventeen RCTs that included 661 patients on the scale for assessment and rating of ataxia (SARA) and 606 patients on the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) were included. These RCTs showed a serious risk of bias (RoB) and low certainty of evidence for both outcomes. NIBS significantly reduced SARA (MD = −2.49, [95% confidence interval: −3.34, −1.64]) and ICARS (−5.27 [−7.06, −3.47]); the subgroup analysis showed significant effects: rTMS and tES reduced both outcomes. However, there were no significant differences in the effects of rTMS and tES. Additional subgroup analysis indicated the impact of rTMS frequency and the total number of tES sessions on ataxia.

Conclusion

Non‐invasive brain stimulation may reduce ataxia in DCA patients, but the estimated effect size may change in future studies because the RoB was serious and the certainty of evidence was low, and the heterogeneity was high. To establish evidence for selecting NIBS methods and parameters, continued high‐quality RCTs are required.
Systematic Review of the Cost of Illness of Parkinson's Disease from a Societal Perspective
Authors: Wijers Anke , Ravi Anirudhan , Evers Silvia M.A.A. , Tissingh Gerrit , van Mastrigt Ghislaine A.P.G.
Published: September 2024

Previous reviews on the cost of illness (COI) of Parkinson's disease (PD) have often focused on health‐care costs due to PD, underestimating its effects on other sectors. This systematic review determines the COI of PD from a societal perspective. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42023428937). Embase, Medline, and EconLit were searched up to October 12, 2023, for studies determining the COI of PD from a societal perspective. From 2812 abstracts, 17 studies were included. The COI of PD averaged €20,911.37 per patient per year, increasing to almost €100,000 in the most severely affected patients. Health‐care costs accounted for 46.1% of total costs, followed by productivity loss (37.4%) and costs to patient and family (16.4%). The COI of PD strongly varied between different geographical regions, with costs in North America 3.6 times higher compared to Asia. This study is the first to identify the relative importance of different cost items. Most important were reduced employment, government benefits, informal care, medication, nursing homes, and hospital admission. There was strong variety in the cost items that were included, with 55.2% of cost items measured in fewer than half of articles. Our review shows that PD‐COI is high and appears in various cost sectors, with strong variety in the cost items included in different studies. Therefore, a guideline for the measurement of COI in PD should be developed to harmonize this. This article provides a first step toward the development of such a tool by identifying which cost items are most relevant. © 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Spiral 3DREAM sequence for fast whole‐brain B1 mapping
Authors: Niesen Svenja , Veldmann Marten , Ehses Philipp , Stöcker Tony
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This work demonstrates a new variant of the 3DREAM sequence for whole‐brain mapping employing a three‐dimensional (3D) stack‐of‐spirals readout. The spiral readout reduces the echo train length after the STEAM preparation in order to overcome the significant blurring in STE* images due to the decreasing STE* signal with each excitation pulse.

Methods

The 3DREAM sequence rapidly acquires two contrasts to calculate whole‐brain flip angle maps. In the proposed spiral 3DREAM sequence, the Cartesian readout scheme is replaced by an accelerated 3D stack‐of‐spirals readout with a CAIPIRINHA sampling scheme. Phantom experiments were conducted to compare flip angle maps of the spiral 3DREAM sequence to a Cartesian 3DREAM sequence, an actual flip‐angle‐imaging (AFI) sequence, the dual‐angle method, and the Bloch–Siegert shift method. Afterwards, the results were validated in vivo acquiring flip angle maps from five subjects.

Results

Flip angle maps of the spiral 3DREAM sequences showed high agreement with the reference methods both in phantom and in vivo experiments. Blurring in STE* images and flip angle maps was reduced compared to the Cartesian 3DREAM sequence.

Conclusion

The spiral 3DREAM sequence utilizes a fast readout minimizing the echo train length of the imaging train. This reduces blurring in STE* images as well as the total acquisition time and increases the effective resolution of maps.
Inner strength, coping self‐efficacy and coping strategy of patients with peritoneal dialysis: A exploratory cross‐sectional study
Authors: Yang Xuzhen , Shan Yan , Gao Yajing , Wang Hong , Li Xue , Ding Yabo , Zhang Yanjun , Diao Keke , Huang Yijia
Published: September 2024

Aim

The purpose of the study was to investigate and analyse inner strength of patients with peritoneal dialysis, explore the associations among inner strength, coping self‐efficacy (CSE) and medial coping modes.

Design

This was a cross‐sectional study which was conducted in nephrology departments of two affiliated hospitals of a comprehensive university in China. Convenience sampling was chosen to collect data.

Methods

A total of 191 patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis were recruited by convenience sampling in two hospitals. Data involved of sociodemographic and clinical materials, inner strength, CSE and medical coping modes were collected from the patients. IBM SPSS Statistics 21.0 was used to process and analyse the data.

Results

The averaged score of inner strength was 95.74 (SD = 13.52). The inner strength, CSE and confrontation coping had positive associations with each other. Besides, inner strength and CSE was negatively associated with acceptance–resignation coping strategy, respectively.
Compatibility study of recycled Polypropylene (PP)/Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) blends nanocomposites with PP‐g‐MAH: Modeling of twin screw extrusion
Authors: Gwon Dajeong , Kim Dohyeong , Koo Jaseung
Published: September 2024

Although the utilization of recycled polymers is essential to sustain the environment, conventional recycled polymers face limitations in application due to the degradation of their properties caused by impurities. To solve the problem the performance deterioration of these recycled polymers, this study aimed to enhance their compatibility by chemically adding polypropylene‐graft‐maleic anhydride (PP‐g‐MAH) and physically manipulate a screw profile by using an extrusion simulation program. As a result of applying the optimized extrusion process set by the simulation program, significant improvements in the compatibility and dispersion of fillers within the polymer were observed through scanning electron microscopy image analysis. In addition, through detailed analysis of rheological data, the positive impact of adding compatibilizer and changing screw profile on rheological properties was demonstrated. As the compatibility of recycled polymer blends improved, tensile strength increased by approximately two‐fold and thermal conductivity was significantly improved, which were decisive factors in dramatically enhancing the performance of recycled polymers. These improved polymer properties provide an opportunity for recycled polymers to be applied more broadly and will expand the potential for new applications in various industrial fields.
Accelerating development in wood‐plastic composites: Presenting key material properties and demonstrating statistical methods
Authors: Teramoto Yoshikuni , Ogoe Shinji , Endo Takashi
Published: September 2024

In a time when global initiatives to lower CO2 emissions are accelerating the shift towards bio‐based products, various efforts are being made to develop wood plastic composites (WPCs) and similar bio‐composites using a variety of raw materials. This paper first showcases benchmark material properties serving as standards and models the composition, for polypropylene‐based WPCs integrating wood flour and maleic anhydride‐modified polypropylene. Subsequently, by applying statistical modeling techniques, we demonstrate an adaptive experimental design that efficiently and rapidly adjusts formulations. Beginning with an empirical dataset (24 samples), we established high‐performing models that articulate the individual contributions of the constituents on ten vital properties of WPCs. Our adaptive experimental design, leveraging nonlinear partial least squares regression and the Bayesian optimization, successfully refined formulations to enhance bending and impact strengths. Notably, we proposed optimal conditions starting from just eight samples with minimal iterations. This study shows that statistical techniques can quickly optimize WPC formulations, making the overall development process faster. By addressing the multiple conflicting properties, these techniques can greatly reduce the time and effort needed for development.

Highlights

Applied several regression methods to analyze ten properties of PP‐based WPCs.

Showcased distinct impacts of the formulations of WF and MAPP on WPCs.

Implemented the adaptive experimental design for formulation optimization.

Enhanced bending and impact strengths in the formulations of WPCs.

Advanced sustainable material development with data‐driven approach.
An experimental study on the wear performance of 3D printed polylactic acid and carbon fiber reinforced polylactic acid parts: Effect of infill rate and water absorption time
Authors: Ergene Berkay , İnci Yiğit Emre , Çetintaş Batuhan , Daysal Birol
Published: September 2024

Rapid prototyping, also known as additive manufacturing, is a nascent technology that is gaining traction in the context of environmental concerns and waste reduction, as well as the growing trend towards customized design. The additive manufacturing method, which has applications in diverse fields such as aviation, architecture, biomedical and automotive engineering, has also begun to be utilized in the construction of yachts and yacht hulls within the maritime industry. In this experimental study, the influences of sea water on polylactic acid (PLA) and carbon fiber reinforced polylactic acid (PLA/CF) parts manufactured at different infill rates (20%, 60% and 100%) were investigated. The parts were exposed to sea water for three different periods (1, 5, and 10 days) and subsequently subjected to wear tests. The dimensional accuracy, surface roughness, hardness, water absorption, volume loss, and friction coefficient of parts were measured and calculated. Additionally, the worn surfaces of the parts were investigated using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) images. The findings indicate that PLA and PLA/CF parts can be produced with high dimensional accuracy. Furthermore, it can be reported that the water absorption of PLA/CF parts increased, particularly with an increase in the infill rate, while the volume loss decreased. Obtained results indicate the necessity of optimizing the 3D printing parameters and the relationship between the ambient conditions and the wear performance of the 3D printed parts.

Highlights

3D printing is a highly promising method for the production of polymer composites.

A pioneering study into the effect of infill rate and water absorption on the wear performance.

Coefficient of friction values of PLA and PLA/CF parts ranged between 0.37 and 0.75.

PLA/CF mostly exhibited higher volume loss than PLA with water absorption.

Volume loss declines with a raise in the infill rate from 20% to 100%.
Three‐dimensional spectrochromatographic determination of chlorogenic acid in Melampyrum stenophyllum Boiss. extracts by parallel factor analysis
Authors: Ertekin Zehra Ceren , Köroğlu Ayşegül , Dinç Erdal
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Co‐elution is a common challenge in phytochemical chromatography. Full chromatographic separation often requires extensive optimization, long analysis times, and excessive solvent use. A viable alternative could be mathematical elution of analytes using three‐dimensional decomposition.

Objectives

This study aimed to develop a method to determine chlorogenic acid in Melampyrum stenophyllum Boiss. extracts without complete chromatographic separation, to validate the method, and to cross‐validate assay results against a classical ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) method.

Methodology

Ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐photodiode array (UPLC‐PDA) spectrochromatograms were arranged into a three‐way data cube with dimensions of time, wavelength, and sample and then decomposed using parallel factor analysis to reveal chromatographic, spectral, and concentration profiles. The chromatographic and spectral profiles were used to identify chlorogenic acid in overlapping signals. The relative concentration profile was used to quantify it in the plant extract. The assay results were statistically compared with those from an in‐house classical UPLC method.

Results

Chlorogenic acid was co‐eluted at 1.45 min and quantified as 16.11 mg per gram dry weight of Melampyrum stenophyllum extracts (SD = 0.28), despite significant interference in a 4‐min runtime. The analytical validity was confirmed by recovery calculations from standard solutions and standard addition samples (RSD < 2%), and the t‐test resulted in a p‐value of 0.09 (α = 0.05), indicating no significant difference between the results obtained from mathematical elution and chromatographic separation.

Conclusion

Chlorogenic acid was quantified from plant material accurately despite the co‐elution. Validation and cross‐validation results support the method's applicability.
Exploring factors associated with increased suicides during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Japan: A study using data from postmortem examinations conducted in an urban area
Authors: Katsumata Yotaro , Okano Toshiaki , Takeshima Tadashi , Igarashi Yuka
Published: September 2024

Aim

The purpose of this study is to examine factors associated with increased suicide deaths during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic in Japan using primary data from postmortem examinations.

Methods

We explored factors associated with suicides that occurred during the COVID‐19 pandemic (February 2020 to December 2021) using data from 115 postmortem examinations of suicides that occurred in one city in the Kanto region between January 2017 and December 2021.

Results

Multivariate analysis using graphical modelling and logistic regression analysis showed that both female sex (adjusted odds ratio: 3.732; 95% confidence interval: 1.044–13.345) and multiple mental disorders (adjusted odds ratio: 7.344; 95% confidence interval: 1.316–40.987) were significantly associated with suicide during the COVID‐19 pandemic among the young age group (39 years or under).

Conclusion

The study results suggest that in addition to the factor of female sex previously identified, morbidity due to multiple mental disorders may be associated with the increased suicides in Japan during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Furthermore, this study presented the new methodological possibility of analyzing background factors of suicide using postmortem examination data. In preparation for similar emergencies in the future, it is necessary to establish a system that provides care for multiple mental disorders and a continuous suicide‐monitoring system that combines methods such as psychological autopsies with other methods.
Laser cleaning of insect residue without surface alteration
Authors: Rathmann Lewin , Radel Tim
Published: September 2024

Insect residues disturb and interrupt the laminar air flow on airplane wings after a while. These residues therefor e need to be repeatedly removed. Shock wave‐based laser cleaning of insect residue on stainless steel (1.4544.9) is presented as a possible method to reduce insect residues in a single pass and without influencing the base material, as confocal laser‐scanning microscope images demonstrate.
3D vision helps to precisely palletize parts
Authors: Molina Jorge , Laka Kepa , Gärtner Jan
Published: September 2024

The Spanish robotics specialist Tekniker has developed a solution that allows chaotically lying parts to be automatically gripped from containers and placed in other containers in an orderly manner. The integrated MVTec Halcon 3D vision software ensures precise gripping of those parts.
A Novel Tetravalent CD95/Fas Fusion Protein With Superior CD95L/FasL Antagonism
Authors: Lang Isabell , Paulus Oliver , Zaitseva Olena , Wajant Harald
Published: September 2024

Inhibition of CD95/Fas activation is currently under clinical investigation as a therapy for glioblastoma multiforme and preclinical studies suggest that disruption of the CD95–CD95L interaction could also be a strategy to treat inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders. Besides neutralizing anti‐CD95L/FasL antibodies, mainly CD95ed‐Fc, a dimeric Fc fusion protein of the extracellular domain of CD95 (CD95ed), is used to prevent CD95 activation. In view of the fact that full CD95 activation requires CD95L‐induced CD95 trimerization and clustering of the resulting liganded CD95 trimers, we investigated whether fusion proteins of the extracellular domain of CD95 with a higher valency than CD95ed‐Fc have an improved CD95L‐neutralization capacity. We evaluated an IgG1(N297A)‐based tetravalent CD95ed fusion protein which was obtained by replacing the variable domains of IgG1(N297A) with CD95ed (CD95ed‐IgG1(N297A)) and a hexavalent variant obtained by fusion of CD95ed with a TNC‐Fc(DANA) scaffold (CD95ed‐TNC‐Fc(DANA)) promoting hexamerization. The established N297A and DANA mutations were used to minimize FcγR binding of the constructs under maintenance of neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) binding. Size exclusion high‐performance liquid chromatography indicated effective assembly of CD95ed‐IgG1(N297A). More important, CD95ed‐IgG1(N297A) was much more efficient than CD95ed‐Fc in protecting cells from cell death induction by human and murine CD95L. Surprisingly, despite its hexavalent structure, CD95ed‐TNC‐Fc(DANA) displayed an at best minor improvement of the capacity to neutralize CD95L suggesting that besides valency, other factors, such as spatial organization and agility of the CD95ed domains, play also a role in neutralization of CD95L trimers by CD95ed fusion proteins. More studies are now required to evaluate the superior CD95L‐neutralizing capacity of CD95ed‐IgG1(N297A) in vivo.
Use of combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy improves pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Reddy Tejaswini P. , Barrios Roberto , Bernicker Eric , Qian Wei , Chang Jenny , Safdar Zeenat
Published: September 2024

Treatment modalities for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) improve quality of life and walk distance. However, none of these therapies alter the structural/functional pulmonary vascular integrity that results in vascular remodeling. PAH smooth muscle cells share biological characteristics with cancer cells, which may be potential therapeutic targets for PAH. We present a case of a patient with connective tissue disease (CTD)‐associated PAH treated on triple therapy who developed metastatic lung adenocarcinoma. While on PAH triple‐therapy, she received a combination of carboplatin, pemetrexed, and pembrolizumab. She eventually had a complete pathologic response, no evidence of cancer recurrence, and significant improvement of PAH/overall clinical status. After discontinuation of neoplastic therapy, her clinical status worsened, she eventually passed away, and lung biopsy findings revealed evidence of severe pulmonary smooth muscle cell hypertrophy and pulmonary veno‐occlusive disease. This report suggests that combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy may influence the efficacy of PAH therapies and improve clinical status.
Purity‐Assisted Zero‐Noise Extrapolation for Quantum Error Mitigation
Authors: Jin Tian‐Ren , Shi Yun‐Hao , Wang Zheng‐An , Li Tian‐Ming , Xu Kai , Fan Heng
Published: September 2024

Quantum error mitigation aims to reduce errors in quantum systems and improve accuracy. Zero‐noise extrapolation (ZNE) is a commonly used method, where noise is amplified, and the target expectation is extrapolated to a noise‐free point. However, ZNE relies on assumptions about error rates based on the error model. In this study, a purity‐assisted zero‐noise extrapolation (pZNE) method is utilized to address limitations in error rate assumptions and enhance the extrapolation process. The pZNE is based on the Pauli diagonal error model implemented using the Pauli twirling technique. Although this method does not significantly reduce the bias of routine ZNE, it extends its effectiveness to a wider range of error rates where routine ZNE may face limitations. In addition, the practicality of the pZNE method is verified through numerical simulations and experiments on the online quantum computation platform, Quafu. Comparisons with routine ZNE and virtual distillation methods show that biases in extrapolation methods increase with error rates and may become divergent at high error rates. The bias of pZNE is slightly lower than routine ZNE, while its error rate threshold surpasses that of routine ZNE. Furthermore, for full density matrix information, the pZNE method is more efficient than the routine ZNE.
Plasma‐Induced Oxygen Defect Engineering in Perovskite Oxide for Boosting Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Wang Kaiteng , Zhou Jun , Fu Lei , Kang Yunqing , Zhou Zilin , Cheng Yonghong , Wu Kai , Yamauchi Yusuke
Published: September 2024

Perovskite oxides are considered highly promising candidates for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts due to their low cost and adaptable electronic structure. However, modulating the electronic structure of catalysts without altering their nanomorphology is crucial for understanding the structure‐property relationship. In this study, a simple plasma bombardment strategy is developed to optimize the catalytic activity of perovskite oxides. Experimental characterization of plasma‐treated LaCo0.9Fe0.1O3 (P‐LCFO) reveals abundant oxygen vacancies, which expose numerous active sites. Additionally, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X‐ray absorption fine structure analyses indicate a low Co valence state in P‐LCFO, likely due to the presence of these oxygen vacancies, which contributes to an optimized electronic structure that enhances OER performance. Consequently, P‐LCFO exhibits significantly improved OER catalytic activity, with a low overpotential of 294 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, outperforming commercial RuO2. This work underscores the benefits of plasma engineering for studying structure‐property relationships and developing highly active perovskite oxide catalysts for water splitting.