bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diffusion tensor imaging‐based pontine damage as a degeneration marker in synucleinopathy
Authors: Chung Seok Jong , Cho Kyoo Ho , Lee Yang Hyun , Yoo Han Soo , Baik KyoungWon , Jung Jin Ho , Ye Byoung Seok , Sohn Young H. , Cha Jungho , Lee Phil Hyu 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe pons is one of the earliest affected regions in patients with synucleinopathies. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of measuring pontine damage using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in these patients. We enrolled 49 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), 16 patients with idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD), 23 patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), and 39 healthy controls in this study. All the participants underwent high‐resolution T1‐weighted imaging and DTI. Mean diffusivity (MD) and fraction anisotropy (FA) values in the pons were calculated to characterize structural damage. The discriminatory power of pontine MD and FA values to differentiate patients with synucleinopathies from healthy controls was examined using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analyses. Compared to healthy controls, patients with PD, iRBD, and MSA had increased MD values and decreased FA values in the pons, although no correlation was observed between these DTI measures and disease severity. The ROC analyses showed that MD values in the pons had a fair discriminatory power to differentiate healthy controls from patients with PD (area under the curve [AUC], 0.813), iRBD (AUC, 0.779), and MSA (AUC, 0.951). The AUC for pontine FA values was smaller than that for pontine MD values when differentiating healthy controls from patients with PD (AUC, 0.713; p = 0.054) and iRBD (AUC, 0.686; p = 0.045). Our results suggest that MD values in the pons may be a useful marker of brain stem neurodegeneration in patients with synucleinopathies.
Biodegradation of phorate by bacterial strains in the presence of humic acid and metal ions
Authors: Singh Simranjeet , Kumar Vijay , Anil Amith G. , Romero Romina , Ramamurthy Praveen C. , Singh Joginder 
Published: September 2021

AbstractPhorate is a systemic insecticide used to eradicate mites, insects, and nematodes. Extensive use of this organophosphate has engendered severe environmental concerns. The current research aimed to explore the kinetic pathways of phorate biodegradation in aqueous solutions. Two novel bacterial strains Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PR1 (KP268772.1) and Pseudomonas sp. PR_02 (KP268773.1) were isolated, screened, and developed given their potential to degrade phorate. Mineralization of phorate was assayed with and without the addition of metal ions [Fe (II) and Cu (II)] and humic acid (HA). In 14 days, experiment both strains have consumed about 69%–94.5% (half‐life from 3.58 to 6.02 days) of phorate. The observed biodegradation rate of phorate with Cu (II) in the system was 73% and 87%, with a half‐life of 4.86 and 4.07 days for PR1 and PR2, respectively. The biodegradation of phorate using Fe(II) was 69% and 82%, with half‐life periods 5.68 and 4.49 days. Meanwhile, incorporating HA, the phorate biodegradation was inhibited significantly, showing 71% and 85% degradation, with half‐life periods of 6.02 and 5.02 days. The results indicated that both bacterial strains were able to mineralize phorate with PR2 > PR1. Summarizing, the inhibition in phorate biodegradation order under different conditions was as HA > Fe (II) > Cu (II). UV–visible measurements and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometric assays indicated that the possible degradation pathway of phorate included ethoxy‐phosphonothio‐methanethiol S‐mercaptomethyl‐O,O‐dihydrogen phosphorodithioate, diethyl‐methylphosphonate, methane dithiol, ethanethiol, and phosphate, as the main metabolites identified. Therefore, it was concluded that the newly isolated Pseudomonas strains could be a potential candidates for biodegradation of phorate in a cost‐effective, safe, and environmentally friendly alternative.
Impact of Pacific Decadal Oscillation on interannual relationship between El Niño and South China Sea summer monsoon onset
Authors: Xu Meng , Xu Haiming , Ma Jing , Deng Jiechun 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn this study, we investigate impact of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) on the interannual relationship between the El Niño and South China Sea summer monsoon onset (SCSSMO) using observations and community atmosphere model (CAM) simulations. We find that the interannual relationship between El Niño and SCSSMO during 1948–2019 has significant decadal variation, namely, this variation is consistent with PDO phase change. Specifically, a high El Niño‐SCSSMO correlation appears during the positive PDO phase from the mid‐1970s to the mid‐1990s; in contrast, no significant correlation exists during the negative PDO phase from the mid‐1950s to the mid‐1970s and also from the 2000s to the 2010s. Further analyses suggest that the PDO‐related sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) in the western North Pacific (WNP), rather than in the North Pacific, modulate the El Niño‐SCSSMO relationship. The SSTAs in the WNP can prolong the existence of the anomalous WNP anticyclone (WNPAC) from the El Niño mature winter to the following May, and the corresponding western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) is stronger and extends further westward, thus causing a late SCSSMO during the positive PDO phase. In contrast, the WNPAC disappears and the WPSH withdraws earlier in May during the negative PDO phase, inducing an early onset of the SCSSM. The observed PDO's impact on the interannual relationship between the El Niño and SCSSMO is confirmed by CAM simulations.
Cardiometabolic risk: New chronic care models
Authors: Nieto‐Martínez Ramfis , González‐Rivas Juan P. , Mechanick Jeffrey I. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCardiometabolic risk factors, and the chronic cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) that result from them, are highly prevalent in the US and amenable to clinical nutrition interventions. This creates an urgency to develop comprehensive care models that incorporate prevention‐based actions by improving lifestyle routines. Such care models should account for social determinants of health, ethnocultural variables, and challenges to sustainability. The relevance of these newly designed chronic care models is to inform and facilitate early intervention, primarily consisting of lifestyle changes and healthy nutrition, which mitigates progression from one stage to subsequent, higher morbidity stages to a greater extent than late intervention. In this article, the mechanistic drivers and ethnocultural validation of the Cardiometabolic‐Based Chronic Disease (CMBCD) model are reviewed. Main findings are that in CMBCD, primary (genetics, environment, and behavior) and metabolic (obesity as Adiposity‐Based Chronic Disease [ABCD], type 2 diabetes as Dysglycemia‐Based Chronic Disease [DBCD], hypertension, and dyslipidemia) drivers initiate and perpetuate the progression of CVD. Epidemiological findings and molecular mechanisms support intra‐ABCD/DBCD, as well as ABCD to DBCD stage progression culminating in CVD. The ABCD definition overcomes weight stigma and body mass index underperformance by considering adiposity amount, distribution, and function; and the DBCD definition overcomes criticisms of prediabetes and an exclusive glucocentric approach by considering insulin resistance and residual vascular risk along a clinical spectrum. In conclusion, clinicians should approach patients using the CMBCD model to incorporate lifestyle changes as early as possible to optimally mitigate the burden of CVD.
Structure‐function relationships of the human vertebral endplate
Authors: Wu Yuanqiao , Loaiza Johnfredy , Banerji Rohin , Blouin Olivia , Morgan Elise 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundAlthough deformation and fracture of the vertebral endplate have been implicated in spinal conditions such as vertebral fracture and disc degeneration, few biomechanical studies of this structure are available. The goal of this study was to quantify the mechanical behavior of the vertebral endplate.MethodsEight‐five rectangular specimens were dissected from the superior and/or inferior central endplates of human lumbar spine segments L1 to L4. Micro‐computed tomography (μCT) imaging, four‐point‐bend testing, and ashing were performed to quantify the apparent elastic modulus and yield stress (modulus and yield stress, respectively, of the porous vertebral endplate), tissue yield stress (yield stress of the tissue of the vertebral endplate, excluding pores), ultimate strain, fracture strain, bone volume fraction (BV/TV), bone mineral density (BMD), and various measures of tissue density and composition (tissue mineral density, ash fraction, and ash density). Regression was used to assess the dependence of mechanical properties on density and composition.ResultsWide variations in elastic and failure properties, and in density and tissue composition, were observed. BMD and BV/TV were good predictors of many of the apparent‐level mechanical properties, including modulus, yield stress, and in the case of the inferior vertebral endplate, failure strains. Similar values of the mechanical properties were noted between superior and inferior vertebral endplates. In contrast to the dependence of apparent stiffness and strength on BMD and BV/TV, none of the mechanical properties depended on any of the tissue‐level density measurements.ConclusionThe dependence of many of the mechanical properties of the vertebral endplate on BV/TV and BMD suggests possibilities for noninvasive assessment of how this region of the spine behaves during habitual and injurious loading. Further study of the nonmineral components of the endplate tissue is required to understand how the composition of this tissue may influence the overall mechanical behavior of the vertebral endplate.
Quantitative assessments on induced high yielding mutant lines in urdbean [Vigna mungo (L.) hepper]
Authors: Goyal Sonu , Wani Mohammad Rafiq , Raina Aamir , Laskar Rafiul Amin , Khan Samiullah 
Published: September 2021

AbstractVigna mungo (L.) hepper is an important grain legume with immense potential for establishing food security worldwide. However, the low genetic variability due to the self‐pollination mode of reproduction restricts its improvement endeavours. Therefore, the present study aimed at increasing the genetic variability and mean values of quantitative traits was undertaken by treating two widely cultivated varieties T‐9 and Pant U‐30, with low, intermediate and high doses of gamma rays and ethyl methanesulfonate in single and combination sets. The study accomplished selection of six mutant lines with augmented yield and manifold increase in genetic parameters, namely, genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV), heritability (h2), and genetic advance (GA) for economically important traits in M3 generation. A substantial increase in mean values of fertile branches per plant, pods per plant, and total plant productivity was noticed among the mutant lines. Phenotypic correlation between various character pairs showed a positive and significant relationship among the number of fertile branches, pods, total plant productivity, and negative association between the seed protein content and total plant yield in the selected mutant lines. In the control population, nitrate reductase activity (NRA), chlorophyll, carotenoid, and protein levels were significantly higher in M3 mutant lines in both varieties. The number and intensity of electrophoretic bands for seed protein in the mutant lines differed from the controls, indicating the mutagen induced polymorphism in protein bands among the mutant lines. In conclusion, the M3 high yielding mutant lines increased genetic variability, yield, protein, and pigment concentrations, isolated in this study, could serve as a valuable germplasm resource for black gram improvement programs.
Influence of dislocation on sour corrosion of carbon steel in a low H2S sour environment
Authors: Samusawa Itaru , Izumi Daich , Shimamura Junji 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe influence of dislocation on corrosion of low alloy steel in a low H2S sour corrosion environment was investigated experimentally (immersion corrosion test and polarization measurement) and theoretically (ESM‐RISM simulation). The results showed that dislocation increases corrosion weight loss by promoting the anodic dissolution reaction. The Fe atom solubilities of two kinds of Fe slab models simulating conditions with/without lattice defects were evaluated, and the high Fe solubility of the model with lattice defects was clarified. Based on these experimental and theoretical findings, the mechanism by which dislocation influences anodic dissolution was discussed.
Technical Note: Clinical modeling and validation of breast tissue expander metallic ports in a commercial treatment planning system for proton therapy
Authors: Kang Yixiu , Shen Jiajian , Bues Martin , Hu Yanle , Liu Wei , Ding Xiaoning 
Published: September 2021

AbstractPurposeTo validate breast tissue expander metallic port (MP) models in a commercial treatment planning system (TPS) in proton pencil beam scanning (PBS) treatments for breast cancer patients with breast tissue expanders.Methods and materialsThree types of MPs taken out of a Mentor CPX4, a Natrelle 133, and a PMT Integra breast tissue expanders and a 650 cc saline filled Mentor CPX4 expander were placed on top of acrylic slabs, and scanned using a Siemens Somatom Definition AS Open RT CT scanner. Structure templates for each of the MPs were designed within Eclipse TPS. The CT numbers for the metallic parts were overridden to reflect measured or calculated relative proton stopping powers (RPSPs). Mock targets were contoured in acrylic to represent postmastectomy chest‐wall radiation therapy (PMRT) targets. Plans with different beam incident angles were optimized using the Eclipse TPS to deliver uniform prescription dose to the target using Hitachi Probeat‐V PBS beams. Eclipse calculated doses and an in‐house Monte Carlo (MC) code calculated doses were compared to the measured Gafchromic EBT3 film doses in acrylic.ResultsTPS/MC and film dose comparison results showed that (1) 3%/2 mm/10% threshold Gamma pass rates were better than 90.8% in the acrylic target region for all plans; (2) comparing TPS and film doses for the individual beam plans in the MP dose shadow areas, the area with dose difference above 5% ([ΔA] 5%) ranged from 1.1 to 5.0 cm2, and the maximum dose difference ([ΔD] 0.01 cm2) ranged from 12.5% to 25.0%; (3) comparing MC and film doses for the individual beam plans in the MP dose shadow areas, the (ΔA) 5% varied from 1.1 to 2.9 cm2 and (ΔD) 0.01 cm2 varied from 8.5% to 24.2%; (4) for a plan composed of three individual beams treating through the Mentor CPX4 expander, the TPS (ΔA) 5% was less than 0.13 cm2, and the (ΔD) 0.01 cm2 was less than 6% in the MP dose shadow areas.ConclusionsIt is feasible to treat patients with tissue expanders using multiple PBS beams using a structure template with CT number overridden to represent the measured/calculated RPSP for MPs for PBS treatment planning. MC dose was more accurate than analytical dose in the areas with high dose gradient caused by the density heterogeneity of the breast tissue expander MPs.
Quantitative lung perfusion blood volume using dual energy CT–based effective atomic number (Zeff) imaging
Authors: Li Ke , Li Yinsheng , Qi Zhihua , Garrett John W. , Grist Thomas M. , Chen Guang‐Hong 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundIodine material images (aka iodine basis images) generated from dual energy computed tomography (DECT) have been used to assess potential perfusion defects in the pulmonary parenchyma. However, iodine material images do not provide the needed absolute quantification of the pulmonary blood pool, as materials with effective atomic numbers (Zeff) different from those of basis materials may also contribute to iodine material images, thus confounding the quantification of perfusion defects.Purpose(i) To demonstrate the limitations of iodine material images in pulmonary perfusion defect quantification and (ii) to develop and validate a new quantitative biomarker using effective atomic numbers derived from DECT images.MethodsThe quantitative relationship between the perfusion blood volume (PBV) in pulmonary parenchyma and the effective atomic number (Zeff) spatial distribution was studied to show that the desired quantitative PBV maps are determined by the spatial maps of Zeff as , where a, b, and β are three constants. Namely, quantitative is determined by Zeff images instead of the iodine basis images. Perfusion maps were generated for four human subjects to demonstrate the differences between conventional iodine material image‐based PBV (PBViodine) derived from two‐material decompositions and the proposed method.ResultsAmong patients with pulmonary emboli, the proposed maps clearly show the perfusion defects while the PBViodine maps do not. Additionally, when there are no perfusion defects present in the derived PBV maps, no pulmonary emboli were diagnosed by an experienced thoracic radiologist.ConclusionEffective atomic number–based quantitative PBV maps provide the needed sensitive and specific biomarker to quantify pulmonary perfusion defects.
A Multipore Model for Heterogeneous Catalytic Polymerization: Structure–Performance Relationships
Authors: Sheikhzadeh Mansoor , Pourmahdian Saeed 
Published: September 2021

AbstractA novel single‐particle model is developed for the physicochemical processes involved in the heterogeneous catalytic polymerization. The model considers the reaction kinetics together with the detailed initial pore structure and explicitly describes the support fragmentation. It captures some of the most widely observed morphological features of heterogeneous catalysis for both before and after starting fragmentation, including the possibility of occurrence of both known fragmentation mechanisms. All the monomer mass conservation equations are solved using a robust semianalytical approach. The results show that the catalyst pore structure, which can be tuned during chemical preparations, has a vital role in determining the catalyst performance through changing the contribution of each of the two fragmentation mechanisms in the overall fragmentation process and that decreasing the propagation rate constant and/or increasing diffusion coefficient intensifies the continuous bisection mechanism. A potential fragmentation index is proposed in order to relate the fragmentation phenomenon to structural features of the catalyst. By defining a weighted average fill factor, it is shown that the fragmentation index is in fact a measure of how much the pores closer to the center relative to the pores closer to the surface are filled up at the fragmentation moment.
Transparency of nonprofit organizations: An integrative framework and research agenda
Authors: Dethier Fanny , Delcourt Cécile , Willems Jurgen 
Published: September 2021

AbstractOver the past 20 years, as the study of transparency has evolved into a burgeoning multidisciplinary field, nonprofit scholars have developed an impressive body of research on the antecedents and outcomes of the transparency of nonprofit organizations (NPOs). From both theoretical and practical purposes, it is necessary to develop an overall picture of such antecedents and outcomes, to allow scholars and NPOs to understand why, when, and how transparency should be implemented. Current studies provide a fragmented view, focused on specific elements of NPO transparency; with a systematic literature review of 76 articles, this article offers both an integrative framework of the antecedents and outcomes of NPO transparency and an agenda for research, based on a critical analysis of the integrative framework. Four relevant research orientations emerge: (1) direction of NPO transparency, (2) distinguishing actual from perceived transparency, (3) the dark side of NPO transparency, and (4) NPO transparency contingency factors. Research along these four orientations could add nuance to existing knowledge of transparency and provide key insights with regard to why, when, and how transparency works.
Adherence to mobile‐app‐based dietary self‐monitoring—Impact on weight loss in adults
Authors: Payne Jason E. , Turk Melanie T. , Kalarchian Melissa A. , Pellegrini Christine A. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectivesGreater dietary self‐monitoring adherence is associated with weight loss, however, the dietary self‐monitoring adherence criteria that predict weight loss are unknown. The criteria used to define adherence to dietary self‐monitoring in obesity treatment tend to vary, particularly in studies that include dietary self‐monitoring via mobile applications (apps). The objectives of this study were to (a) determine weight change outcomes related to app‐based dietary self‐monitoring and (b) determine the associations between the frequency, consistency, and completeness of dietary self‐monitoring and weight change.MethodsIn this single‐arm uncontrolled prospective study, employees at a large, urban health system who had overweight or obesity self‐monitored dietary intake for 8 weeks using the Calorie Counter by FatSecret app. A paired sample t‐test examined the association of app‐based dietary self‐monitoring and weight change; linear regression examined the associations of frequent, consistent, and complete dietary self‐monitoring and weight change.ResultsA significant mean difference [t (89) = 6.59, p < 0.001] was found between baseline and 8‐week weight (M = −1.5 ± 2.1 kg) in the sample (N = 90). Linear regression revealed a significant association [F (1, 88) = 7.18, p = 0.009] between total weeks of consistent dietary self‐monitoring (M = 4.4 ± 2.8) and percent weight loss (M = −1.54% ± 2.26%), and a significant association [F (1, 88) = 6.42, p = 0.013] between dietary self‐monitoring frequency (M = 50.1% ± 33.3%) and percent weight loss. The total weeks of complete dietary self‐monitoring (M = 3.42 ± 2.87) was not associated [F (1, 88) = 3.57, p = 0.062] with percent weight loss.ConclusionsConsistent and frequent app‐based dietary self‐monitoring were associated with short‐term weight loss. Emphasizing these aspects of self‐monitoring may be an avenue for decreasing the burden of self‐monitoring.
Antiflaming poly(L‐lactide) by synthesizing polyurethane with phosphorus and nitrogen
Authors: Sun Qihao , Shen Yueshi , Wei Junge , Zhang Zhuanzhuan , Zhang Baochang , Song Xiaofeng 
Published: September 2021

AbstractA novel polyurethane containing phosphorus and nitrogen (PU) was synthesized and characterized with 1H‐NMR, FTIR, and GPC. It was served as flame retardant to blend with poly(L‐lactide) (PLLA) through solution casting technique. PU particle dispersed in PLLA substrate irregularly and improved the crystallinity of PLLA. The initial decomposition temperature of PLLA composite was significantly lower, but char residue increased. Flame retardancy and mechanical properties of PU/PLLA blends were evaluated. When the blend ratio of PU/PLLA was 10 wt%, LOI was 26.8%, and UL94 test reached V‐2 grade. The inflaming retarding mechanism was outlined. The tensile strength of PLLA blend was 42.8 MPa, while its elongation at break was only 2%. By adjusting PU and adding compatilizer, the balance between flame retardancy and good mechanical properties of PLLA would be controlled.