bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Super‐Continuum Generation in Graphene‐Based Chalcogenide Slot Waveguide
Authors: Piran Sevda , Noori Mina , Hashemi Seyed Ali Seyed , Baghban Hamed 
Published: November 2021

AbstractSlot waveguides comprised of Ge23Sb7S70and Si with and without graphene are considered for super‐continuum generation in the mid‐infrared range. The dispersion characteristics are optimized for the proposed waveguides comprised of Si and Ge23Sb7S70chalcogenide as the core and cladding, respectively with and without graphene sheets embedded in the proposed structure. The proposed waveguide without graphene possesses all‐normal dispersion and the super‐continuum spectra with bandwidth of 1.75 µm is obtained for a pump with wavelength of 2 µm, peak power of 100 W, and time duration of 50 fs, at 20 dB level. Also, the total length of the waveguide is 8 mm. The optimized structure with three graphene sheets presents flat anomalous dispersion and the super‐continuum spectra with bandwidth of 3 µm is obtained for a pump with wavelength, peak power, and time duration of 3 µm, 7 mW, and 50 fs, respectively at 10 dB level. It is demonstrated that the proper dispersion region for super‐continuum generation depends on the sign of Kerr‐index of the nonlinear material. The proposed waveguides are highly compatible with fabrication technologies for mid infrared applications.
Polyamidation of new diamine monomers containing bulky pendant groups based on imidazole ring and fabrication of polyamide/modified‐SiO2composite: Properties and applications
Authors: Khaki Diyari , Amininasab S. Mojtaba , Namazi Hassan 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAiming to develop a novel series of high‐performance and organo‐soluble polyamides (PAs), two imidazole‐based diamines containing xanthene and voluminous pendant units were designed and polycondensed with common dicarboxylic acids. The polymers' excellent solubility in many organic solvents can be correlated to the introduction of flexible ether linkages and bulky pendant groups into the rigid structure of PAs. PAs possessed high thermal resistance (T10>420°C), high glass transition temperatures (Tg) (from 181 to 262°C), and inherent viscosities at 0.45–0.69 dl/g. Also, all PAs indicated good antimicrobial activity and photophysical properties due to the existence of imidazole and xanthene units in their main backbone. Furthermore, in the present research, one of the PAs (i.e., PA‐bII) was grafted onto the surface of modified‐SiO2nanoparticles, and polymeric nanocomposite (PANC) was prepared. Obtained data from the investigation of properties of prepared PANC proves the increment in the heat resistance, antimicrobial inhibition, and photoluminescence intensity compared to neat PA. In the following, the application of PAs and PANC as absorbents to eliminate two heavy metal ions Hg2+and Co2+from aqueous solutions was investigated.
Angle‐ply orientation‐dependent failure behaviors of carbon fiber reinforced polymer laminates
Authors: Li Weizhi , Ma Zhichao , Du Hairui , Xiao Guolin , Shen Guoxiang , Zhao Hongwei , Ren Luquan 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis paper researches the micro‐failure behaviors of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates with different angle‐ply orientations subjected to tensile load. On the basis of the strain rates of 2.6 × 10−6 s−1 and 2.6 × 10−3 s−1, the significant difference in deformation behaviors of CFRP laminates with different angle‐ply orientations are investigated by using a miniature tensile tester. The scanning electron microscopy images are used to assess fracture damage modes of CFRP laminates, including matrix cracking, delamination, fiber‐matrix debonding, and fiber fracture, determined the “high‐low‐high” trend of the strength of laminates with the increase of ply angle. In order to analyze the crack propagation mechanism of laminates attributed to matrix micro‐crack under uniaxial tensile load, two wide applicable micro‐crack propagation models of laminates are proposed to explain the fracture damage failure behaviors of CFRP laminates with different angle‐ply orientations.
SARS–CoV‐2 Infection and COVID‐19 Outcomes in Rheumatic Diseases: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Conway Richard , Grimshaw Alyssa A. , Konig Maximilian F. , Putman Michael , Duarte‐García Alí , Tseng Leslie Yingzhijie , Cabrera Diego M. , Chock Yu Pei Eugenia , Degirmenci Huseyin Berk , Duff Eimear , Egeli Bugra Han , Graef Elizabeth R. , Gupta Akash , Harkins Patricia , Hoyer Bimba F. , Jayatilleke Arundathi , Jin Shangyi , Kasia Christopher , Khilnani Aneka , Kilian Adam , Kim Alfred H. J. , Lin Chung Mun Alice , Low Candice , Proulx Laurie , Sattui Sebastian E. , Singh Namrata , Sparks Jeffrey A. , Tam Herman , Ugarte‐Gil Manuel F. , Ung Natasha , Wang Kaicheng , Wise Leanna M. , Yang Ziyi , Young Kristen J. , Liew Jean W. , Grainger Rebecca , Wallace Zachary S. , Hsieh Evelyn ,   the COVID‐19 Global Rheumatology Alliance
Published: November 2021

ObjectiveThe relative risk of SARS–CoV‐2 infection and COVID‐19 disease severity among people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) compared to those without RMDs is unclear. This study was undertaken to quantify the risk of SARS–CoV‐2 infection in those with RMDs and describe clinical outcomes of COVID‐19 in these patients.MethodsWe conducted a systematic literature review using 14 databases from January 1, 2019 to February 13, 2021. We included observational studies and experimental trials in RMD patients that described comparative rates of SARS–CoV‐2 infection, hospitalization, oxygen supplementation/intensive care unit (ICU) admission/mechanical ventilation, or death attributed to COVID‐19. Methodologic quality was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools or the Newcastle‐Ottawa scale. Risk ratios (RRs) and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated, as applicable for each outcome, using the Mantel‐Haenszel formula with random effects models.ResultsOf the 5,799 abstracts screened, 100 studies met the criteria for inclusion in the systematic review, and 54 of 100 had a low risk of bias. Among the studies included in the meta‐analyses, we identified an increased prevalence of SARS–CoV‐2 infection in patients with an RMD (RR 1.53 [95% CI 1.16–2.01]) compared to the general population. The odds of hospitalization, ICU admission, and mechanical ventilation were similar in patients with and those without an RMD, whereas the mortality rate was increased in patients with RMDs (OR 1.74 [95% CI 1.08–2.80]). In a smaller number of studies, the adjusted risk of outcomes related to COVID‐19 was assessed, and the results varied; some studies demonstrated an increased risk while other studies showed no difference in risk in patients with an RMD compared to those without an RMD.ConclusionPatients with RMDs have higher rates of SARS–CoV‐2 infection and an increased mortality rate.
Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis With Use of Intraarticular Glucocorticoids Versus Hyaluronic Acid
Authors: Bucci Justin , Chen Xiaoyang , LaValley Michael , Nevitt Michael , Torner James , Lewis Cora E. , Felson David T. 
Published: November 2021

ObjectiveTo determine whether intraarticular glucocorticoid (GC) injections are associated with increased knee osteoarthritis (OA) progression compared to hyaluronic acid (HA) injections, which have been reported to delay OA progression and knee replacement.MethodsWe identified participants from 2 large cohort studies, the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) and the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study. Study visits were performed at regular intervals and included questionnaires about intraarticular GC or HA injection use in the previous 6 months and incident total knee replacement (TKR). Knee radiographs were obtained at each study visit and interpreted in a similar manner. Outcome measures were radiographic progression based on Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) grade and joint space narrowing (JSN) for both cohorts and based on medial joint space width for OAI participants, and incident TKR. We compared preinjection and postinjection radiographs to generate rate ratios of progression comparing GC injection with HA injection. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the rate of TKR for both groups.ResultsWe studied 791 participants (980 knees) with knee OA, of whom 629 reported GC injection use and 162 HA injection use. Rate ratios of progression were similar between those receiving GCs and those receiving HA for JSN (1.00 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.83–1.21]), K/L grade (1.03 [95% CI 0.83–1.29]), and medial joint space width (1.03 [95% CI 0.72–1.48]). Hazard of TKR was slightly lower for those receiving intraarticular GC compared to those receiving HA (hazard ratio 0.75 [95% CI 0.51–1.09]).ConclusionIntraarticular GC injections are not associated with an increased risk of knee OA progression compared to HA.
Comparing conventional and emerging adsorbents for per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances: Kinetic, equilibrium, and column experiments
Authors: Grieco Scott A. , Chang Joseph , Maio Elizabeth (Lily) Y. , Hwang Michael 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAn expanding list of states have established enforceable drinking water regulations and/or advisories for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. Additionally, many state regulations extend to shorter chain per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds not currently addressed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). This current work presents batch equilibrium and continuous column (rapid small‐scale column test) bench‐scale experiments conducted on drinking water sources with similar PFAS composition but varying background water quality (namely dissolved organic carbon). Adsorption of PFOA was evaluated using activated carbon and an emerging modified clay as adsorbents. Both batch equilibrium and continuous column experiments demonstrated that modified clay has a greater adsorptive capacity and faster adsorption kinetics compared to activated carbon for both long‐ and short‐chain compounds studied, as represented by PFOA and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid, respectively.
Differential effects of alcohol‐drinking patterns on the structure and function of the brain and cognitive performance in young adult drinkers: A pilot study
Authors: Guo Xiaobing , Yan Tongjun , Chen Min , Ma Xiaoyan , Li Ranli , Li Bo , Yang Anqu , Chen Yuhui , Fang Tao , Yu Haiping , Tian Hongjun , Chen Guangdong , Zhuo Chuanjun 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIntroductionThis study was aimed to determine how different patterns of alcohol consumption drive changes to brain structure and function and their correlation with cognitive impairments in young adult alcohol drinkers.MethodsIn this study, we enrolled five groups participants and defined as: long‐term abstinence from alcohol (LA), binge drinking (BD), long‐term low dosage alcohol consumption but exceeding the safety drinking dosage (LD), long‐term alcohol consumption of damaging dosage (LDD), and long‐term heavy drinking (HD). All participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional MRI (fMRI) to acquire data on brain structure and function, including gray matter volume (GMV), fractional amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuation (fALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), functional connectivity (FC), and brain network properties. The cognitive ability was evaluated with the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), intelligence quotient (IQ), and short delay free recall (SDFR).ResultsCompared to LA, GMV significantly decreased in the brain regions in VN, SMN, and VAN in the alcohol‐drinking groups (BD, LD, LDD, and HD). ReHo was significantly enhanced in the brain regions in VN, SMN, and VAN, while fALFF significantly increased in the brain regions in VN and SMN. The number of intra‐ and inter‐modular connections within networks (VN, SMN, sensory control network [SCN], and VAN) and their connections to other modules were abnormally changed. These changes adversely affected cognition (e.g., IQ, CVLT, SDFR).ConclusionDespite the small sample size, this study provides new evidence supporting the need for young people to abstain from alcohol to protect their brains. These findings present strong reasoning for updating anti‐alcohol slogans and guidelines for young people in the future.
Human urinary kallidinogenase combined with edaravone in treating acute ischemic stroke patients: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Yang Di‐Xiao , Li Yao , Yu Dan , Guan Bi , Ming Qian , Li Yan , Chen Li‐Qing 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIntroductionSeveral studies have investigated the efficacy of human urinary kallidinogenase (HUK) combined with edaravone (Eda) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. Our aim was to provide the best available evidence for clinical practice and further research programs for stroke treatment.MethodsWe searched the online database for paper published between January 2015 and April 2021. We calculated weighted mean difference (WMD) or odds risk (OR) and their corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of reported outcomes between HUK plus Eda and Eda groups for each study. The random‐effect models or fixed‐effect models were used to pool the analysis.ResultsThirteen studies with 1242 patients were included. In the pooled analysis, the scores of NIHSS in the HUK plus Eda group were significantly lower than that in patients receiving Eda (WMD = –3.92, 95% CI (–4.82, –3.02), p < .0001). The ADL scores in the HUK plus Eda group were significantly greater than that in patients receiving Eda (WMD = 14.13, 95% CI (10.67, 17.60), p < .0001). Furthermore, HUK plus Eda was associated with a higher rate of total efficacy (OR = 3.97, 95% CI (2.81, 5.59), p < .0001).ConclusionsHUK combined with Eda provides potential clinical benefits as a treatment for AIS. Further high‐quality, large‐scale randomized trials are needed to confirm these results.
A MATLAB‐based educational platform for analysis of slope stability
Authors: Yin Zhen‐Yu , Teng Jing‐Cheng , Wang Han‐Lin , Jin Yin‐Fu 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis study presents a computer‐aided educational platform, namely, ErosSSA (Eros‐Slope‐stability‐analysis) developed by the geotechnical group in the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, to provide civil engineering students and young industrial engineers a better understanding of the analysis of slope stability. The platform is developed under the MATLAB environment, with a clear framework and a graphical interface. Using this platform, the rotational landslides can be generally analyzed, considering a circular slip surface and the factors of safety defined with respect to basic and advanced methods with different force and/or moment equilibrium. Furthermore, the minimum factors of safety of different methods for a given slope can be determined. From the practical teaching of the ErosSSA in two courses for Bachelor and Master students, it was found that they were highly satisfied with the accuracy, reliability, and convenience of the ErosSSA according to their feedbacks to a questionnaire. These practical teaching experiences support the ErosSSA to be widely used as a suitable teaching platform in geotechnical engineering.
Willingness to share data: Contextual determinants of consumers' decisions to share private data with companies
Authors: Ackermann Kurt Alexander , Burkhalter Linda , Mildenberger Thoralf , Frey Martin , Bearth Angela 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn the age of digitalization, customer and consumer data have become a valuable source of information for companies. However, to obtain these data, companies depend on peoples' willingness to share (WTS) their private data with them. By means of a large‐scale online experiment with more than 20,000 participants, we investigated the extent to which peoples' WTS private data is affected by contextual factors. We complement and extend previous research by (i) simultaneously addressing several contextual factors that companies can largely control themselves, (ii) comparing their relative impacts on WTS, and (iii) explicitly examining interactions between these contextual factors in addition to their specific univariate effects. Concretely, we investigate contextual factors, such as the type of data requested, the purpose for which the data are used, the industry sector a corresponding company belongs to, the type of compensation offered for the shared data, and the degree to which the data allows for personal identification. Our data suggest that all these factors do affect peoples' WTS significantly, while there are also multiple significant interaction effects between these contextual factors. For instance, we found that a better intuitive match between the core business a company is engaged in and the type of data that is requested, results in higher proportions of people who are willing to share the corresponding data with the corresponding company. Hence, companies may benefit from tuning their requests for consumer or customer data according to the specific context in which they operate.
Ge‐Substituted Hierarchical Ferrierite for n‐Pentane Cracking to Light Olefins: Mechanistic Investigations via In‐situ DRIFTS Studies and DFT Calculations
Authors: Rodaum Chadatip , Thivasasith Anawat , Iadrat Ploychanok , Kidkhunthod Pinit , Pengpanich Sitthiphong , Wattanakit Chularat 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe development of heterogeneous catalysts for light olefin production via a catalytic cracking has been crucially important due to the high demand of related products in industrial applications. Herein, we report the structural analysis of a germanium‐substituted hierarchical ferrierite zeolite obtained by one‐pot synthesis. This is the first report on an investigation of the synergistic effect of hierarchical structures and the one‐pot Ge‐substitution in a ferrierite framework on the catalytic cracking mechanism. Our findings exhibit that the existence of germanium in a hierarchical ferrierite framework can indeed reduce the Brønsted acid strength, facilitating a catalytic reaction with high light olefin selectivity (63 %) due to the elimination of side reactions, such as dimerization and aromatization, confirmed by in‐situ DRIFTS and DFT studies. This opens up the perspective of the development of metal substitution in an interconnected 8‐ and 10‐pore framework with hierarchical structures on the catalytic behaviors of light olefin production.
Pushing the Limits of Characterising a Weak Halogen Bond in Solution
Authors: Peintner Stefan , Erdélyi Máté 
Published: November 2021

AbstractDetection and characterisation of very weak, non‐covalent interactions in solution is inherently challenging. Low affinity, short complex lifetime and a constant battle against entropy brings even the most sensitive spectroscopic methods to their knees. Herein we introduce a strategy for the accurate experimental description of weak chemical forces in solution. Its scope is demonstrated by the detailed geometric and thermodynamic characterisation of the weak halogen bond of a non‐fluorinated aryl iodide and an ether oxygen (0.6 kJ mol−1). Our approach makes use of the entropic advantage of studying a weak force intramolecularly, embedded into a cooperatively folding system, and of the combined use of NOE‐ and RDC‐based ensemble analyses to accurately describe the orientation of the donor and acceptor sites. Thermodynamic constants (ΔG, ΔH and ΔS), describing the specific interaction, were derived from variable temperature chemical shift analysis. We present a methodology for the experimental investigation of remarkably weak halogen bonds and other related weak forces in solution, paving the way for their improved understanding and strategic use in chemistry and biology.
2′,3′‐Cyclic GMP‐AMP Dinucleotides for STING‐Mediated Immune Modulation: Principles, Immunotherapeutic Potential, and Synthesis
Authors: Shang Mengdi , Lu Kuan , Guan Wenli , Cao Shujie , Ren Mengtian , Zhou Chuanzheng 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe cGAS‐STING pathway discovered ten years ago is an important component of the innate immune system. Activation of cGAS‐STING triggers downstream signalling, such as TBK1‐IRF3, NF‐κB and autophagy, which in turn leads to antipathogen responses, durable antitumour immunity or autoimmune diseases. 2′,3′‐Cyclic GMP‐AMP dinucleotides (2′,3′‐cGAMP), the key second messengers produced by cGAS, play a pivotal role in cGAS‐STING signalling by binding and activating STING. Thus, 2′,3′‐cGAMP has immunotherapeutic potential, which in turn has stimulated research on the design and synthesis of 2′,3′‐cGAMP analogues for clinical applications over the past ten years. This review presents the discovery, metabolism, and function of 2′,3′‐cGAMP in the cGAS‐STING innate immune signalling axis. The enzymatic and chemical syntheses of 2′,3′‐cGAMP analogues as STING‐targeting therapeutics are also summarized.
A heterogeneous model of endovascular devices for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Berod Alain , Chnafa Christophe , Mendez Simon , Nicoud Franck 
Published: November 2021

AbstractNumerical computations of hemodynamics inside intracranial aneurysms treated by endovascular braided devices such as flow‐diverters contribute to understanding and improving such treatment procedures. Nevertheless, these simulations yield high computational and meshing costs due to the heterogeneity of length scales between the dense weave of the fine struts of the device and the arterial volume. Homogeneous strategies developed over the last decade to circumvent this issue substitute local dissipations due to the wires with a global effect in the form of a pressure‐drop across the device surface. However, these methods cannot accurately reproduce the flow‐patterns encountered near the struts, the latter strongly dictating the intra‐saccular flow environment. In this work, a versatile theoretical framework which aims at correctly reproducing the local flow heterogeneities due to the wires while keeping memory consumption, meshing and computational times as low as possible is introduced. This model reproduces the drag forces exerted by the device struts onto the fluid, thus producing local and heterogeneous effects on the flow. Extensive validation for various flow and geometric configurations using an idealized device is performed. To further illustrate the method capabilities, a real patient‐specific aneurysm endovascularly treated with a flow‐diverter is used, enabling quantitative comparisons with classical approaches for both intra‐saccular velocities and computational costs reduction. The proposed heterogeneous model endeavors to bridge the gap between computational fluid dynamics and clinical applications and ushers in a new era of numerical treatment planning with minimally costing computational tools.