bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the soil and plant water hydrological cycle in a typical wetland under harsh natural conditions in the Shigatse area of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Cong Peixin , Tan Hongbing , Shi Dongping , Zhang Yu
Published: June 2023

In cold alpine regions, ecohydrological feedback to climatic anomalies can provide valuable insights into ecosystem functions in the context of alarming climate change projections. However, the role of vegetation in the hydrological cycle of alpine wetlands remains unclear. We used water stable isotopes (δ18O and δD) supplemented with δ13C to investigate wetland soil isotope distributions and plant water uptake patterns. The isotope values of the soil profiles were affected by seasonal factors. During cold and dry periods, the isotopes within the soil profile showed a strong evaporation effect, and during warm and humid periods, the isotopes indicated the mixing of multiple water sources. The isotopes show larger variations in the interior of the wetland than in the periphery. The carbon dioxide and methane released by the wetland may cause a negative shift in the δ18O and δD isotopes of soil water. Rose willow and Sophora moorcroftiana can obtain water from both the surface and deep layers to cope with different water stresses. The dominant water is mainly obtained from the surface layer during cold and dry periods, whereas water from deeper layers can also be abstracted during warm and wet periods for rose willow growth. These findings will provide a better understanding of soil and plant water hydrological cycles under harsh natural conditions in cold alpine regions and could offer guidance to local governments for the conservation of this extreme wetland ecosystem.
AICSS: Automatic simulator–controller/optimizer model of open channels
Authors: Shahverdi Kazem
Published: June 2023

The coupling between simulators and controllers in control systems of irrigation canals has always been a challenging issue. Consequently, simplified or approximated models of Saint‐Venant equations (SVEs) have unavoidably been used thus far. In this research, a coupled simulator–controller/optimizer model named Automatic Irrigation Canal Simulation System (AICSS) was developed to control irrigation conveyance system simulation (ICSS) using MATLAB, which allows setting input data, retrieving input or output data and opening, running and closing the ICSS model, enabling any real‐time modelling of canals with mathematical and statistical experiments as well as calibration of the discharge coefficient and Manning's roughness. To this end, several submodels were written in FORTRAN to automatically guide orders in ICSS received from MATLAB. The developed model is started by pressing the F5 key in MATLAB. To introduce the AICSS application and evaluate it, the proportional‐integral‐derivative (PID) controller was used and tested in the E1R1 Dez and Aghili East canals located in Khuzestan province (Iran), showing successful results when simulating and controlling the canals and leading to maximum and average water depth errors of 2.3% and 0.07% in the E1R1 canal and 5.3% and 0.36% in the Aghili East canal, respectively.
Predicting anxiety and depression over 12 months of the COVID‐19 pandemic: A machine learning study
Authors: Bailey Brooklynn , Strunk Daniel R.
Published: June 2023

Objectives

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic was associated with substantial increases in anxiety and depressive symptoms. To understand individual risk, we examined a large set of potential risk factors for anxiety and depression in the pandemic context.

Methods

Adults in the United States (N = 1200) completed eight online self‐report assessments over 12 months of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Area under the curve scores summarized cumulative experiences of anxiety and depression over the assessment period. A machine learning approach to elastic net regularized regression was used to select predictors of cumulative anxiety and depression severity from a set of 68 sociodemographic, psychological, and pandemic‐related baseline variables.

Results

Cumulative anxiety severity was most strongly explained by stress and depression‐related variables (such as perceived stress) and select sociodemographic characteristics. Cumulative depression severity was predicted by psychological variables, including generalized anxiety and depressive symptom reactivity. Being immunocompromised or having a medical condition were also important.

Conclusions

By considering many predictors, findings provide a more complete view than previous studies focused on specific predictors. Important predictors included psychological variables suggested by prior research and variables more specific to the pandemic context. We discuss how such findings can be used in understanding risk and planning interventions.
Continuous evolution and emerging lineage of seasonal human coronaviruses: A multicenter surveillance study
Authors: Ye Run‐Ze , Gong Cheng , Cui Xiao‐Ming , Liu Jin‐Yue , Fan Hang , Xie Hui , Wang Qian , Ren Zhen‐Yong , Zhang Ya‐Wei , Xia Luo‐Yuan , Zhang Ming‐Zhu , Li Yu‐Yu , Li Ze‐Hui , Du Li‐Feng , Zhang Jie , Cheng Nuo , Shi Wenqiang , Li Mao‐Zhong , Zhao Lin , Jiang Jia‐Fu , Jia Na , Huang Fang , Cao Wu‐Chun
Published: June 2023

The seasonal human coronaviruses (HCoVs) have zoonotic origins, repeated infections, and global transmission. The objectives of this study are to elaborate the epidemiological and evolutionary characteristics of HCoVs from patients with acute respiratory illness. We conducted a multicenter surveillance at 36 sentinel hospitals of Beijing Metropolis, China, during 2016–2019. Patients with influenza‐like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) were included, and submitted respiratory samples for screening HCoVs by multiplex real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction assays. All the positive samples were used for metatranscriptomic sequencing to get whole genomes of HCoVs for genetical and evolutionary analyses. Totally, 321 of 15 677 patients with ILI or SARI were found to be positive for HCoVs, with an infection rate of 2.0% (95% confidence interval, 1.8%–2.3%). HCoV‐229E, HCoV‐NL63, HCoV‐OC43, and HCoV‐HKU1 infections accounted for 18.7%, 38.3%, 40.5%, and 2.5%, respectively. In comparison to ILI cases, SARI cases were significantly older, more likely caused by HCoV‐229E and HCoV‐OC43, and more often co‐infected with other respiratory pathogens. A total of 179 full genome sequences of HCoVs were obtained from 321 positive patients. The phylogenetical analyses revealed that HCoV‐229E, HCoV‐NL63 and HCoV‐OC43 continuously yielded novel lineages, respectively. The nonsynonymous to synonymous ratio of all key genes in each HCoV was less than one, indicating that all four HCoVs were under negative selection pressure. Multiple substitution modes were observed in spike glycoprotein among the four HCoVs. Our findings highlight the importance of enhancing surveillance on HCoVs, and imply that more variants might occur in the future.
Novel SARS‐CoV‐2 entry inhibitors, 2‐anilinoquinazolin‐4(3H)‐one derivatives, show potency as SARS‐CoV‐2 antivirals in a human ACE2 transgenic mouse model
Authors: Ko Meehyun , Lee Jun Young , Shin Young Sup , Jeon Sangeun , Myung Subeen , Cho Jung‐Eun , Jang Min Seong , Song Jong Hwan , Kim Hyoung Rae , Park Hyeung‐geun , Park Chul Min , Kim Seungtaek
Published: June 2023

The ongoing COVID‐19 has not only caused millions of deaths worldwide, but it has also led to economic recession and the collapse of public health systems. The vaccines and antivirals developed in response to the pandemic have improved the situation markedly; however, the pandemic is still not under control with recurring surges. Thus, it is still necessary to develop therapeutic agents. In our previous studies, we designed and synthesized a series of novel 2‐anilinoquinazolin‐4(3H)‐one derivatives, and demonstrated inhibitory activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and MERS‐CoV in vitro. We then conducted in vivo studies using modified compounds that are suitable for oral administration. These compounds demonstrated no toxicity in rats and inhibited viral entry. Here, we investigated the in vivo efficacy of these drug candidates against SARS‐CoV‐2. Three candidate drugs, 7‐chloro‐2‐((3,5‐dichlorophenyl)amino)quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one (1), N‐(7‐chloro‐4‐oxo‐3,4‐dihydroquinazolin‐2‐yl)‐N‐(3,5‐dichlorophenyl)acetamide (2), and N‐(7‐chloro‐4‐oxo‐3,4‐dihydroquinazolin‐2‐yl)‐N‐(3,5‐difluorophenyl)acetamide (3) were administered orally to hACE2 transgenic mice at a dose of 100 mg/kg. All three drugs improved survival rate and reduced the viral load in the lungs. These results show that the derivatives possess in vivo antiviral efficacy similar to that of molnupiravir, which is currently being used to treat COVID‐19. Overall, our data suggest that 2‐anilinoquinazolin‐4(3H)‐one derivatives are promising as potential oral antiviral drug candidates against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.
Improved almost blank subframe technology with cooperative interference suppression
Authors: Chen Cong , Long Zixuan , Nan Fang , Xiao Luyao , Zhu Dijie , Li Xiang , Liu Ying , Shao Shihai
Published: June 2023

Almost blank subframe (ABS) is a classic and efficient technology to cancel interference in cellular networks and could be applied in future networks such as ultra‐density network. However, the existence of ABS will result in the deterioration of the communication capacity of the macro base station (BS), particularly for applications with large number of edge users. To solve this problem, an improved ABS technology with an interference cancelation scheme is proposed. For the considered scenario, the macro BS and the micro BS work in a cooperative manner, where the signal transmitted by the macro BS interferes with the communication between the micro BS and its edge terminals. At the terminal side, both the nonlinearity of the macro BS transmitter and the propagation model between the edge user and the macro BS are estimated using neural networks (NNs), which are then sent to the micro BS for interference elimination through the ABS. At the micro BS side, firstly, the nonlinearity and channel parameters from the ABS frame are used to generate a cancelation signal. Secondly, the cancelation signal is sent from the micro BS to the edge user to eliminate the disturbance from the macro BS. This enhanced technology can alleviate the disturbance for the edge user. Meanwhile, since it massively decreases the occupancy of ABS in the macro BS, the capacity of the macro cell can be improved.
Evaluation of Fetal Cardiac Functions in Preeclampsia: Does the Severity or Proteinuria Affect Fetal Cardiac Functions?
Authors: Hendem Derya Uyan , Oluklu Deniz , Beser Dilek Menekse , Yildirim Muradiye , Turgut Ezgi , Tanacan Atakan , Sahin Dilek
Published: June 2023

Objective

To compare the fetal cardiac functions in preeclampsia and control group, and determine whether the severity or amount of proteinuria affects fetal cardiac functions.

Methods

This prospective case–control study involves 48 pregnant women with preeclampsia and 48 healthy women. Pulsed wave Doppler, M‐mode, and tissue Doppler imaging were used to measure the cardiac function between the 32 and 34 gestational weeks in each group. All Doppler indices and cardiac function parameters were also compared in subgroups with mild and severe preeclampsia and between subgroups with proteinuria >3 g/24 hours and <3 g/24 hours.

Results

Decreased diastolic function (decreased E, A, E′, and A′ values in mitral/tricuspid valves and increased isovolumetric relaxation time) and decreased systolic functions (decreased mitral and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion and S′ value in mitral/tricuspid valves) were detected in the preeclampsia group. Decreased tricuspid E value in severe preeclampsia compared with mild preeclampsia was shown in the present study.

Conclusion

Preeclampsia may cause changes in systolic and diastolic functions in the fetal heart. Subclinical functional changes of these fetuses can be detected earlier and more sensitively with the help of tissue Doppler imaging. Biventricular diastolic functional changes are more prominent in preeclamptic cases with proteinuria >3 g/24 hours.
Severe cutaneous scleromyxedema treated by lenalidomide
Authors: Brochet Théo , Dadban Ali , Beauvillain Quentin , Boucher Clemence , Dessirier Fanny , Attencourt Christophe , Lok Catherine , Morel Pierre , Halle Aurélie , Chaby Guillaume
Published: June 2023

Scleromyxedema is a rare clinical variant of primary cutaneous mucinosis. It is defined by a generalized papular and sclerodermoid eruption associated with monoclonal gammopathy. No specific definitive treatment is known and those tried have inconsistent results. The first‐line treatment is intravenous immunoglobulin infusions with variable response and frequent relapse. We describe, here, a patient with scleromyxedema with lambda monoclonal gammopathy treated effectively with low‐dose lenalidomide and dexamethasone. There was no clinical or biological relapse after 3 years of follow‐up. In our opinion, agents targeting the abnormal plasma cell clone like lenalidomide are the most promising in the treatment of scleromyxedema.
Red deer in the Pyrenees: a risky secondary contact zone for conservation genetics
Authors: Pérez‐González Javier , Gort‐Esteve Araceli , Ruiz‐Olmo Jordi , Anaya Gabriel , Broggini Camilla , Millán Marina F. , Vedel Giovanni , de la Peña Eva , Membrillo Alberto , Seoane José M. , Azorit Concepción , Carranza Juan
Published: June 2023

Natural events over time, and human interventions, influence the genetic structure of species. The red deer (Cervus elaphus) is widely distributed in Europe, with a large‐scale genetic structure largely determined by Pleistocene climatic oscillations. The Iberian Peninsula acted as one of the main glacial refuges for many species; a particular red deer lineage remains on the peninsula and is subjected to special conservation policies. The mountain range of the Pyrenees might be a contact zone where Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) could hybridize with other central European genetic lineages. In the late twentieth century, the natural distribution areas of red deer on both sides of the Pyrenees became closer because of restocking from central Iberia to areas south of the Pyrenees and from French populations to areas north of the Pyrenees. We analyzed the genetic structure of red deer populations in the Pyrenees to investigate the underlying processes of population contact and hybridization. The analysis of microsatellite genotypes showed 2 genetic clusters. One of these clusters associated with Iberian red deer, whereas the other presented European non‐Iberian genetic composition. Migration and hybridization events occurred between both genetic clusters, mostly in the eastern part of the sampling area. The Pyrenees is currently a secondary contact zone caused by anthropogenic translocations, and a risky hybrid belt for red deer genetic conservation.
Mathematical simulation and optimization of xylene isomerization reactor to enhance p‐xylene production
Authors: Hafizi Ali , Farsi Mohammad , Esfandyari Morteza
Published: June 2023

This study investigated mathematical modeling and optimization of the xylene isomerization reaction in a commercial adiabatic reactor. The proposed model, consisting of a set of algebraic and ordinary differential equations, is based on a heterogeneous one‐dimensional steady‐state formulation. To verify the proposed model, the simulation results have been compared to available data from an industrial reactor. A good agreement has been found between the simulation and plant data. The genetic algorithm (GA) method is applied to optimize the reactor operating conditions considering the para‐xylene (p‐xylene) mole fraction in reactor outlet as the main objective function. According to the simulation results, there is an optimum initial temperature for maximizing the objective function. In the optimization process, the p‐xylene mole fraction was enhanced by 3.0% at an optimized feed temperature of 678.04K.
Do You Like Your Voice? A Population‐Based Survey of Voice Satisfaction and Voice Enhancement
Authors: Naunheim Matthew R. , Puka Elefteria , Huston Molly N.
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Voice enhancement for patients without obvious vocal pathology or loss of function is rarely discussed clinically or in academic research. Our objectives were to: (1) determine voice satisfaction on a population level, and (2) assess willingness to consider interventions to change one's voice.

Methods

A standardized questionnaire was created to assess current and past voice disorders. Questions assessed demographics, health status, prevalence of voice disorders, and questions regarding satisfaction with voice. Iterative survey testing and piloting were performed. A cohort with age, gender, and geographic distribution of the general adult population was then queried in an online survey. Qualitative analysis and both descriptive and multivariate statistics were performed.

Results

A total of 1522 respondents were included, with an age, gender, and regional distribution reflective of the US population. A minority (38.8%) of respondents reported that they did not like the sound of their own voice in normal conversation; when asked about listening to a recording of their own voice, a majority (57.5%) reported dissatisfaction with voice. Discontent with one's voice was associated with being middle age (p = 0.005), female gender (p < 0.0001), and white race (p < 0.0001). Approximately 50.6% of respondents without a history of dysphonia would consider interventions to change their voice. Of those who indicated they may elect to change their voice, qualities regarding clarity and pitch were paramount.

Conclusion

Dissatisfaction with one's speaking voice is common. A considerable percentage of the general population without a voice disorder would consider interventions to change their voice.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 133:3455–3461, 2023
Using a settlement connectivity‐based framework to map the farmland abandonment risk: A case study on the World Heritage of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces
Authors: Jiao Yuanmei , Liu Zhilin , Ding Yinping , Xu Qiue , Yang Yuliang , Liu Chengjing , Liao Huijuan
Published: June 2023

Farmland abandonment is a gradual, complex, and fragmented process that varied with time and space. How to identify the abandonment‐risk of farmland with a spatial explicit way is a challenge and a key step toward the efficient management and sustainability of regional agriculture. This paper introduced the quantification method of connectivity from landscape ecology, took the rural settlements as the source patches that farmers moved out with materials and energies into the sink patches of farmlands, and during the moving process the least‐cost path among settlements means the highest connectivity and the lowest risk of farmland abandonment. Then the new integrated framework for spatially quantifying the abandonment‐risk of farmland based on settlement connectivity combined with the least‐cost model (namely the FARBSC framework) was put forward and validated at the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces (HHRT) in Southwestern China. The verification and accuracy comparison of the FARBSC framework to the composite indicators and the buffer zone analysis of settlement were all indicated the efficiency of the new method. For the HHRT region, according to the FARBSC framework, the risky, weakly stable, stable, and highly stable zone is occupied 13.5%, 43.3%, 36.7%, and 6.5% of the land, respectively. The FARBSC framework had provided a quick and convenient way to mapping the risk area of farmland abandonment, especially for data‐lack remote rural mountainous areas, such rice terrace heritage sites in mountainous Asia. More detailed spatial data can be used to improve its accuracy in future studies.
Comparative study between natural and artificial weathering of acrylic‐coated steel, aluminum, and galvanized steel
Authors: Cristoforetti Andrea , Rossi Stefano , Deflorian Flavio , Fedel Michele
Published: June 2023

Since testing organic coatings under natural conditions is a time‐consuming process, accelerated methods are needed to produce results in less time. A simulated environment cannot fully reproduce actual operating conditions, so it is important to investigate the correlation between accelerated and natural aging test results. In this article, the natural aging of painted steel, aluminum, and hot‐dip galvanized steel is studied for 1 year under continental climate conditions. The environmental parameters responsible for the change of the protective system in a continental urban environment were monitored: time of wetness, ultraviolet radiation, and temperature. The extent of deterioration is compared with similar samples weathered by accelerated testing using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and gloss measurements. Neutral salt spray chamber, prohesion test, immersion in a quiescent salt solution, and ultraviolet B‐rays (UVB) exposure test are considered. The results of the accelerated cabinet tests are discussed, and the effect is evaluated for the various coated metals. This study highlights the major problems encountered in building a model to predict durability in such a critical area as the durability of organic coatings for metal structures.
Investigating the potential of casein as a sustainable material in inhibiting the corrosion of aluminum in hydrochloric acid
Authors: Rabizadeh Taher , Matin Javid Amin , Kazemi Marjaneh , Vahedian Khezerlou Nima , Ghanbari Hosna
Published: June 2023

In this study, the efficiency of casein in inhibiting the corrosion of aluminum in 0.1 M HCl was evaluated. Based on the weight loss data, increasing the amount of casein in the electrolyte from 50 to 500 ppm at 298 K decreased the corrosion rate of aluminum, for instance, from 2.53 to 0.58 g m−2 h−1. It was also demonstrated that with casein, the activation energy of the corrosion phenomenon increased (e.g., from 6.52 kJ/mol without casein to 27.54 kJ/mol with 500 ppm casein). The electrochemical polarization studies illustrated that in the presence of 500 ppm casein, the corrosion current density remarkably decreased from 63.09 to 6.1 µA/cm2. This was compatible with the increase in the charge transfer resistance recorded by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Furthermore, the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy techniques confirmed the adsorption of casein on the working electrodes, which caused an enhancement in the surface quality of the specimens.
Enhanced corrosion performance of low‐cost titanium alloys in a simulated diabetic environment
Authors: Rundora Nicola R. , Van der Merwe Josias W. , Klenam Desmond E. P. , Bodunrin Michael O.
Published: June 2023

Due to their excellent biocompatibility, titanium alloys are the preferred materials for manufacturing bioimplants. Low‐cost titanium alloys have been developed as cheaper and less toxic alternatives for Ti–6Al–4V in the biomedical industry, but their suitability for diabetes patients is yet to be evaluated. With the growing number of diabetes patients globally, this research investigated the corrosion performance of low‐cost Ti–3Fe, Ti–4.5Al–1V–3Fe, and Ti–6Al–1V–3Fe alloys in 0.9 wt.% sodium chloride solution and glucose‐containing Hanks balanced salt solution (HBSS) compared with Ti–6Al–4V. Glucose was added to simulate the body fluids of patients with prediabetic and diabetic conditions. Open circuit potential and potentiodynamic polarization tests were performed. The results reveal that Ti–4.5Al–1V–3Fe and Ti–6Al–1V–3Fe alloys show superior corrosion resistance compared with the other alloys in the glucose‐containing solutions, as they had the lowest corrosion rate and higher corrosion potential. Consequently, these alloys hold promise as effective implants, particularly for people living with diabetes.
Protective Effect of Glucocorticoids against Symptomatic Disease in CSF1R Variant Carriers
Authors: Dulski Jarosław , Heckman Michael G. , Nowak Julia M. , Wszolek Zbigniew K.
Published: June 2023

Background

There is an unmet need for the treatment of colony‐stimulating factor‐1 receptor (CSF1R)‐related leukoencephalopathy.

Objectives

To evaluate the association of glucocorticoids (GCs) with disease onset and progression in CSF1R variant carriers.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study on CSF1R variants carriers (n = 41) whose medical records were collected at Mayo Clinic Florida from 2003 to 2023. We retrieved information on sex, ethnicity, family history, medications, disease onset, course and duration, neuroimaging features, and activities of daily living (ADL).

Results

Risk of developing symptoms was significantly lower for individuals who used GCs (n = 8) compared to individuals who did not (n = 33) (12.5% vs. 81.8%, hazard ratio [HR] = 0.10, P = 0.036). The risk of becoming dependent in ADL was markedly lower for the GCs group (0.0% vs. 43.8%, P = 0.006). White matter lesions and corpus callosum involvement were less common in the GCs group (62.5% vs. 96.6%, P = 0.026; 37.5% vs. 84.6%, P = 0.017; respectively).

Conclusions

We found a protective association of GCs in CSF1R variant carriers against developing CSF1R‐related leukoencephalopathy. We call for further studies to validate our findings and investigate the potential application of GCs in CSF1R‐related leukoencephalopathy. © 2023 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Adapting a new formula to generalize multidimensional transforms
Authors: Saadeh Rania , Burqan Aliaa
Published: June 2023

In this article, we present a new general formula of a multidimensional general integral transform; this new formula covers mostly all types of multi‐integral transforms of the Laplace class. Moreover, single, double, and triple integral transforms of the Laplace kind can be derived from the proposed formula. So, the obtained results in this study can be utilized to reduce computations when using these transforms of same category in other studies. Fundamental properties of the new transform, including linearity, uniqueness, and the inverse, are introduced. In addition, we establish the multi‐convolution theorem and some important results related to partial derivatives. To show the applicability of new multidimensional transform, we employ the new proposed transform to investigate the solutions of some partial differential equations and partial integro‐differential equations.
Selective ensemble methods for deep learning segmentation of major vessels in invasive coronary angiography
Authors: Park Jeeone , Kweon Jihoon , Kim Young In , Back Inwook , Chae Jihye , Roh Jae‐Hyung , Kang Do‐Yoon , Lee Pil Hyung , Ahn Jung‐Min , Kang Soo‐Jin , Park Duk‐Woo , Lee Seung‐Whan , Lee Cheol Whan , Park Seong‐Wook , Park Seung‐Jung , Kim Young‐Hak
Published: June 2023

Background

Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) is a primary imaging modality that visualizes the lumen area of coronary arteries for diagnosis and interventional guidance. In the current practice of quantitative coronary analysis (QCA), semi‐automatic segmentation tools require labor‐intensive and time‐consuming manual correction, limiting their application in the catheterization room.

Purpose

This study aims to propose rank‐based selective ensemble methods that improve the segmentation performance and reduce morphological errors that limit fully automated quantification of coronary artery using deep‐learning segmentation of ICA.

Methods

Two selective ensemble methods proposed in this work integrated the weighted ensemble approach with per‐image quality estimation. The segmentation outcomes from five base models with different loss functions were ranked either by mask morphology or estimated dice similarity coefficient (DSC). The final output was determined by imposing different weights according to the ranks. The ranking criteria based on mask morphology were formulated from empirical insight to avoid frequent types of segmentation errors (MSEN), while the estimation of DSCs was performed by comparing the pseudo‐ground truth generated from a meta‐learner (ESEN). Five‐fold cross‐validation was performed with the internal dataset of 7426 coronary angiograms from 2924 patients, and prediction model was externally validated with 556 images of 226 patients.

Results

The selective ensemble methods improved the segmentation performance with DSCs up to 93.07% and provided a better delineation of coronary lesion with local DSCs of up to 93.93%, outperforming all individual models. Proposed methods also minimized the chances of mask disconnection in the most narrowed regions to 2.10%. The robustness of the proposed methods was also evident in the external validation. Inference time for major vessel segmentation was approximately one‐sixth of a second.

Conclusion

Proposed methods successfully reduced morphological errors in the predicted masks and were able to enhance the robustness of the automatic segmentation. The results suggest better applicability of real‐time QCA‐based diagnostic methods in routine clinical settings.
Experimental probe into the femtosecond laser ablation thresholds in carbon fiber reinforced polymer and assessment of the measurement theories
Authors: Zhao Jinhui , Ji Pengfei , Lin Gen , Li Xin , Zhang Xueqiang
Published: June 2023

Focusing on the femtosecond laser processing of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP), the ablation threshold is of great concern to fulfill the manufacturing of specified functional surfaces and devices. The ablation thresholds and incubation coefficients of resin matrix and carbon fiber in CFRP subject to femtosecond laser irradiation are investigated from the measurement theories of ablation area diameter and ablation rate. The ablation thresholds of resin matrix and carbon fiber at different laser line scanning speeds are quantitatively determined by the ablation area diameter. Moreover, the impacts of laser scanning speeds, laser scanning directions, and polarization types on the ablation thresholds and incubation effect of resin matrix and carbon fiber in CFRP are revealed in depth, which indicates the ablation thresholds depend on the condition of femtosecond laser processing. In other words, choosing the appropriate combination of laser scanning and polarization would achieve the goal of efficient removal of resin matrix and carbon fiber in CFRP. After assessment of the measurement theories, it is found the one from ablation area diameter is more accurate than that from ablation rate, which is because of the difficulty in correctly measuring the ablation depth with ripples formed on the laser ablated surface.
Theoptical‐thermalmodeling of carbon black filled glass fiber reinforced poly‐ether‐ether‐ketone in laser assisted tape winding
Authors: Li Yanrui , Li Yong , Huan Dajun , Li Lisha , Liu Hongquan , Wang Wuqiang , Wang Junsheng , Zhu Chunling , Zhao Ning
Published: June 2023

To facilitate the application of carbon black filled glass fiber reinforced poly‐ether‐ether‐ketone (CB‐GF/PEEK) prepreg in laser assisted tape winding (LATW), a finite element method is used to analyze the optical‐thermal characteristics of the following three prepregs with distinct laser absorption properties: (i) 0.5%CB (incomplete absorption), (ii) 2.74%CB (complete, single‐layer absorption), (iii) 4%CB (complete, near‐surface absorption). Thus, the energy distribution, temperature distribution and thermal accumulation are revealed, and the heating strategy is customized according to the laser absorption characteristics of each prerpeg. Then the feasibility of CB filled GF/PEEK prepreg in LATW is verified by manufacturing and testing NOL rings. Finally, the nip‐point irradiation scheme is optimized. The simulation results reveal a significant difference between the optical‐thermal characteristics of the 0.5%CB and those of the other two prerpegs. Benefited from the energy leakage, the 0.5%CB facilitated twice melting by thermal accumulation, along with a higher nip‐point temperature. Meanwhile, the mechanical performance tests of the NOL rings indicate a similar tensile strength of ~1300 MPa for the 0.5%CB and 4%CB, while the interlaminar strength of the 0.5%CB is slightly higher than that of the 4%CB. The latter result may be due to the higher nip‐point temperature of the 0.5%CB, which promotes resin diffusion and enhances the bonding strength. Finally, an optimized heating strategy with short laser length, vertical irradiation of the nip‐point is proposed, and is shown to reduce the ineffective thermal accumulation and ensured the suitability of Tape and Laminate temperature.
Evaluation of the physical, mechanical, water absorption, and tribological behavior of pineapple leaf fiber/roselle fiber reinforced vinyl ester hybrid composites for non‐structural applications
Authors: Ramakrishnan Muthuraja , Ramasubramanian Sarala , Raman SakthiSadhasivam , Chinnapalanichamy Jayaseelan
Published: June 2023

Natural fiber‐based polymer composites have greater advantages due to their superior mechanical properties and environmentally friendly nature. In the present study, pineapple leaf (PALF) and roselle fiber (RSF) reinforced vinyl ester hybrid composites were fabricated by the hot compression molding method, and their physical properties, mechanical properties, water absorption rate, and tribological behavior were investigated and analyzed. This research investigation has been conducted to reveal a significant hybrid of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites for commercial engineering applications. Mechanical properties were examined for their tensile, flexural, compression, hardness, and impact properties. Moreover, the fractured surfaces of the tensile specimen were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. Water absorption behaviors were then accomplished by immersing the composite samples in standard distilled water and analyzing the water penetration percentage. The tribological behavior was simply studied by using a pin‐on‐disc tribometer apparatus to evaluate the specific wear rate and coefficient of friction. From the results, it was concluded that the hybrid composites provided higher results in all kinds of formats when compared with single‐fiber composites. Among the hybrid composites, the 24PALF/16RSF/60VE sample was particularly promising for its improvement in mechanical properties of 103.9% tensile strength, 109.7% flexural, 26.2% compression, 56.9% impact, and 113.5% hardness compared to the neat resin sample. Thus, the results illustrate that the hybridization of PALF and RSF fibers with a vinyl ester matrix generates enhanced mechanical behaviors, which indeed make it desirable for use in non‐structural electrical and electronics insulation board and component applications.
Serological screening for cytomegalovirus during pregnancy: A systematic review of clinical practice guidelines and consensus statements
Authors: Xie Maria , Tripathi Tanya , Holmes Natasha E. , Hui Lisa
Published: June 2023

Background

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the most common congenital infection worldwide. cCMV can lead to severe long‐term sequelae, including neurological impairment and developmental delay. We performed a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines containing recommendations concerning serological screening for CMV during pregnancy.

Method

We performed a search of MEDLINE, Turning Research into Practice (TRIP) database and the grey literature for clinical practice guidelines or consensus statements published in the English language from Jan 2010 to June 2022. The quality of the included guidelines was assessed using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument. Textual synthesis was used to summarise and compare the recommendations on CMV serological screening in pregnancy.

Results

Eleven guidelines and two consensus statements were included. None recommended universal serological screening for CMV in pregnant women; five recommended screening for high‐risk women (those with frequent contact with young children). The overall quality of the guidelines varied; most were medium or low.

Conclusions

Although clinical practice guidelines do not actively recommend routine serological screening in pregnancy, most did not meet standard processes for development and predated the emerging data on valaciclovir as a potential intervention. Existing recommendations are underpinned by limited, low‐level evidence, exposing the lack of robust data in this area of practice. Further high‐level evidence and methodologically robust guidelines are needed to guide clinical practice in this rapidly changing field.
Chemically and biochemically responsive liquid crystal polymer networks and elastomers
Authors: Velasco Abadia Albert , Schwartz Daniel K , Kaar Joel L
Published: June 2023

Chemically responsive liquid crystal (LC) based polymers can change their mechanical or optical properties when exposed to chemical triggers. The anisotropy inherent in LC materials allows the programming and control of predictable changes in shape, stiffness, and/or color. By further incorporating ionizable moieties into the polymer formulation, these materials may exhibit a response to chemical stimuli such as pH, solvents, or specific analytes. This mini‐review highlights seminal papers and recent advances in the use of chemoresponsive LC polymers for sensing and actuation. We also discuss how these materials can respond to biochemical stimuli through the immobilization of enzymes into the network, and provide examples of different types of responses (e.g., shape reconfigurations and color transitions). Multiple ways of modulating the response, such as chemical gating and enzyme patterning, are also reviewed. Finally, we illuminate some of the challenges and opportunities in the use of these materials for state‐of‐the‐art applications, including shape‐controllable medical implants and real‐time field‐deployable sensors. © 2023 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Plasma‐based conversions with in situ product removal
Authors: Rouwenhorst Kevin H. R. , Lefferts Leon
Published: June 2023

This short review focuses on in situ product removal as a method to improve the energy efficiency and product yield of plasma‐based conversions. After recapping the advantages of in situ separations in thermal‐catalytic processes, different strategies for in situ product removal for plasma‐based conversions are discussed. Advantages and challenges are discussed regarding four strategies, that is, absorption and adsorption using solids, use of sacrificial reactants, separation with ceramic dense membranes, and product removal in the liquid phase.
Three‐dimensional phenotyping of peach tree‐crown architecture utilizing terrestrial laser scanning
Authors: Knapp‐Wilson Jordan , Bohn Reckziegel Rafael , Thapa Magar Srijana , Bucksch Alexander , Chavez Dario J.
Published: June 2023

Tree training systems for temperate fruit have been developed throughout history by pomologists to improve light interception, fruit yield, and fruit quality. These training systems direct crown and branch growth to specific configurations. Quantifying crown architecture could aid the selection of trees that require less pruning or that naturally excel in specific growing/training system conditions. Regarding peaches [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch], access tools such as branching indices have been developed to characterize tree‐crown architecture. However, the required branching data (BD) to develop these indices are difficult to collect. Traditionally, BD have been collected manually, but this process is tedious, time‐consuming, and prone to human error. These barriers can be circumnavigated by utilizing terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to obtain a digital twin of the real tree. TLS generates three‐dimensional (3D) point clouds of the tree crown, wherein every point contains 3D coordinates (x, y, z). To facilitate the use of these tools for peach, we selected 16 young peach trees scanned in 2021 and 2022. These 16 trees were then modeled and quantified using the open‐source software TreeQSM. As a result, “in silico” branching and biometric data for the young peach trees were calculated to demonstrate the capabilities of TLS phenotyping of peach tree‐crown architecture. The comparison and analysis of field measurements (in situ) and in silico BD, biometric data, and quantitative structural model branch uncertainty data were utilized to determine the reconstructive model's reliability as a source substitute for field measurements. Mean average deviation when comparing young tree (YT) height was approx. 5.93%, with crown volume was approx. 13.26% across both 2021 and 2022. All point clouds of the YTs in 2022 showed residuals lower than 12 mm to cylinders fitted to all branches, and mean surface coverage greater than 40% for both the trunk and primary branching orders.
On the Role of Torsion and Higher Forms in Off‐Shell Supergravity
Authors: Ravera Lucrezia
Published: June 2023

The presence of a nonvanishing totally antisymmetric (super)torsion, equivalent to an axial vector, and higher forms in the “new minimal” and “old minimal” off‐shell formulations of , supergravity is elaborated. The geometric superspace approach and study both the geometric Lagrangian and the off‐shell closure of the Bianchi identities in this framework, showing how the aforementioned axial vector torsion contributes to both the new and the old minimal set of auxiliary fields is adopted. In particular, to reproduce (a variant of) the old minimal set within the geometric setup, two real auxiliary 3‐form potentials.
Microfluidic Synthesis of Ultrasmall Chitosan/Graphene Quantum Dots Particles for Intranasal Delivery in Alzheimer's Disease Treatment
Authors: Mohebichamkhorami Fariba , Faizi Mehrdad , Mahmoudifard Matin , Hajikarim‐Hamedani Arman , Mohseni Seyedeh Sarvenaz , Heidari Amirhossein , Ghane Yekta , Khoramjouy Mona , Khayati Maryam , Ghasemi Rasoul , Zali Hakimeh , Hosseinzadeh Simzar , Mostafavi Ebrahim
Published: June 2023

Nanoparticles (NPs) based therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) attract interest due to their ability to pass across or bypass the blood‐brain barrier. Chitosan (CS) NPs or graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are promising drug carriers with excellent physicochemical and electrical properties. The current study proposes the combination of CS and GQDs in ultrasmall NP form not as drug carriers but as theranostic agents for AD. The microfluidic‐based synthesis of the CS/GQD NPs with optimized characteristics makes them ideal for transcellular transfer and brain targeting after intranasal (IN) delivery. The NPs have the ability to enter the cytoplasm of C6 glioma cells in vitro and show dose and time‐dependent effects on the viability of the cells. IN administration of the NPs to streptozotocin (STZ) induced AD‐like models lead to a significant number of entrances of the treated rats to the target arm in the radial arm water maze (RAWM) test. It shows the positive effect of the NPs on the memory recovery of the treated rats. The NPs are detectable in the brain via in vivo bioimaging due to GQDs as diagnostic markers. The noncytotoxic NPs localize in the myelinated axons of hippocampal neurons. They do not affect the clearance of amyloid β (Aβ) plaques at intercellular space. Moreover, they showed no positive impact on the enhancement of MAP2 and NeuN expression as markers of neural regeneration. The memory improvement in treated AD rats may be due to neuroprotection via the anti‐inflammation effect and regulation of the brain tissue microenvironment that needs to be studied.
Modulating Electronic Structure of PtCo‐Ptrich Nanowires with Ru atoms for Boosted Hydrogen Evolution Catalysis
Authors: Cao Xianjun , Gao Li , Qu Junpeng , Li Lu , Xie Yuhan , Zhao Yufei , Wang Guoxiu , Liu Hao
Published: June 2023

Rational design and development of highly efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts is of great significance for the development of green water electrolysis hydrogen production technology. Ru‐engineered 1D PtCo‐Ptrich nanowires (Ru‐PtrichCo NWs) are fabricated by a facile electrodeposition method. The rich Pt surface on 1D Pt3Co contributes to the fully exposed active sites and enhanced intrinsic catalytic activity (co‐engineered by Ru and Co atoms) for HER. The incorporation of Ru atoms can not only accelerate the water dissociation in alkaline condition to provide sufficient H* but also modulate the electronic structure of Pt to achieve optimized H* adsorption energy. As a result, Ru‐PtrichCo NWs have exhibited ultralow HER overpotentials (η) of 8 and 112 mV to achieve current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm−2 in 1 m KOH, respectively, which far exceed those of commercial Pt/C catalyst (η10 = 29 mV, η100 = 206 mV). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further demonstrate that the incorporated Ru atoms possess strong water adsorption capacity (−0.52 vs −0.12 eV for Pt), facilitating water dissociation. The Pt atoms in the outermost Pt‐rich skin of Ru‐PtrichCo NWs achieve optimized H* adsorption free energy (ΔGH*) of −0.08 eV, boosting hydrogen generation.
Cyclic flexural performance of precast lightweight aggregate concrete insulation panels
Authors: Sim Ji‐Hye , Mun Ju‐Hyun , Kim Sanghee , Kim Jong‐Won , Yang Keun‐Hyeok , Park Jun‐Ryeol , Lee Sung‐Jin , Jung Yeon‐Back
Published: June 2023

This study investigated the structural safety of the developed panel‐to‐base joint technique for full‐size precast lightweight aggregate concrete (PLC) insulation panels subjected to cyclic lateral loads. The main parameters were the compressive strength of insulating concrete and the safety factor of the joint reinforcing bar for connecting with the base or beam. The test results revealed that the PLC insulation panel specimens with a safety factor of 1.0 experienced severe pinching effect and low ductile performance. However, the PLC insulation panel specimens with a safety factor of 1.6 exhibited higher flexural moment capacity, displacement ductility ratio, and work damage index than those with a safety factor of 1.0. Consequently, the overall flexural behavior of the PLC insulation panel specimens with a safety factor of 1.6 can be developed stably, resulting in satisfactory seismic connection performance requirements specified in NEHRP. Meanwhile, the developed panel‐to‐base joint using the joint reinforcing bar and L‐shaped steel plates can be considered as a fixed end according to the analysis of the collapse mechanism, as with spliced sleeve or welding plate joints.
A Review on 1‐D Nanomaterials: Scaling‐Up with Gas‐Phase Synthesis
Authors: Chrystie Robin S. M.
Published: June 2023

Nanowire‐like materials exhibit distinctive properties comprising optical polarisation, waveguiding, and hydrophobic channelling, amongst many other useful phenomena. Such 1‐D derived anisotropy can be further enhanced by arranging many similar nanowires into a coherent matrix, known as an array superstructure. Manufacture of nanowire arrays can be scaled‐up considerably through judicious use of gas‐phase methods. Historically, the gas‐phase approach however has been extensively used for the bulk and rapid synthesis of isotropic 0‐D nanomaterials such as carbon black and silica. The primary goal of this review is to document recent developments, applications, and capabilities in gas‐phase synthesis methods of nanowire arrays. Secondly, we elucidate the design and use of the gas‐phase synthesis approach; and finally, remaining challenges and needs are addressed to advance this field.