bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variation in the skulls of Elgaria and Gerrhonotus (Anguidae, Gerrhonotinae) and implications for phylogenetics and fossil identification
Authors: Ledesma David T. , Scarpetta Simon G. , Bell Christopher J. 
Published: July 2021

Background
There are limited data on intra- and interspecific osteological variation for many squamate clades. Those data are relevant for phylogenetic analyses that use osteological characters and for apomorphic identifications of fossils. We investigate whether morphological features in the skulls of extant gerrhonotine lizards can be used to distinguish taxa at the species- and genus-level and assess whether newly discovered intra- and interspecific osteological variation alters the utility of previously reported apomorphic features. We examined skulls of species belonging to the gerrhonotine genera Elgaria and Gerrhonotus. These genera contain 17 extant species, but the cranial osteology of only a few species was previously examined. As a result, intra- and interspecific osteological variation of these gerrhonotines is poorly understood.

Methods
We employed high-resolution x-ray computed tomography (CT) to scan 25 alcohol-preserved specimens. We provide data on the skulls of all eight species of Elgaria, four for the first time, and five species of Gerrhonotus, three for the first time. We examined 3-D reconstructed skulls of the scanned specimens as well as dry, traditionally prepared skeletons (when they were available).

Results
We found that the purported diagnostic utility of many previously described morphological features is impacted because of substantial morphological variation between and within species. We present an assessment of osteological differences that may be useful to differentiate species of Elgaria and Gerrhonotus, many of which are present on isolated cranial elements commonly recovered as fossils, including the premaxilla, maxilla, parietal, pterygoid, prootic, dentary, and surangular. We demonstrate the importance of documenting patterns of osteological variation using large sample sizes, and the utility of examining disarticulated cranial elements of the squamate skull to identify diagnostic morphology. This study adds to a growing body of literature suggesting that extensive documentation of morphological variation is needed to further our understanding of the phylogenetic and diagnostic utility of morphological features across vertebrate clades. Efforts in that direction likely will benefit from examination of disarticulated skeletal elements.
Change in mental health, physical health, and social relationships during highly restrictive lockdown in the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from Australia
Authors: Rogers Shane L. , Cruickshank Travis 
Published: July 2021

Background
A novel coronavirus first reported in Wuhan City in China in 2019 (COVID-19) developed into a global pandemic throughout 2020. Many countries around the world implemented strict social distancing policies to curb the spread of the virus. In this study we aimed to examine potential change in mental/physical health and social relationships during a highly restrictive COVID-19 lockdown period in Australia during April 2020.

Methods
Our survey (n = 1, 599) included questions about concerns, social behaviour, perceived change in relationship quality, social media use, frequency of exercise, physical health, and mental health during COVID-19 lockdown (April, 2020).

Results
When estimating their mental health for the previous year 13% of participants reported more negative than positive emotion, whereas this increased to 41% when participants reflected on their time during COVID-19 lockdown. A substantial proportion (39–54%) of participants reported deterioration in mental health, physical health, financial situation, and work productivity. However, most of these participants reported ’somewhat’ rather than ’a lot’ of deterioration, and many others reported ’no change’ (40–50%) or even ’improvement’ (6–17%). Even less impact was apparent for social relationships (68% reported ’no change’) as participants compensated for decreased face-to-face interaction via increased technology-mediated interaction.

Conclusions
The psychological toll of COVID-19 on Australians may not have been as large as other parts of the world with greater infection rates. Our findings highlight how technology-mediated communication can allow people to adequately maintain social relationships during an extreme lockdown event.
Determining the effect of Magnesium Sulfate on Doppler Parameters of Fetal Umbilical and Middle Cerebral Arteries in Women with Severe Preeclampsia: A Prospective Study
Authors: Okab Osama M. , Omar Mona K. , Mashaly Emaad M. , El-kholy Dina G. 
Published: July 2021

Background: Preeclampsia is best described as a pregnancy-specific syndrome that can affect every organ system. Although preeclampsia is much more than simply gestational hypertension with proteinuria, appearance of proteinuria remains an important objective diagnostic criterion. The aim of this study is to evaluate Doppler velocimetric parameters (resistance index [RI], pulsatility index [PI], and systolic/diastolic [S/D] ratio) of the umbilical and middle cerebral arteries before and after magnesium sulfate administration in pregnant women with severe preeclampsia.
Methods: This prospective study had been included 25 women from the emergency department and Obstetrics outpatient clinic Tanta University. Resistance index [RI], pulsatility index [PI] and systolic/ diastolic [S/D] ratio of middle cerebral artery and umbilical artery before and 20 minutes after intravenous administration of 6 grams of magnesium sulfate (loading dose).
Results: The maternal age of cases included in the study ranged between 18 year and 40 year with a mean age of 32.03±6.1. The gravidity of cases included in the study ranged between 1 and 5 with a mean of 2.01±1.03.The parity of cases included in the study ranged between 0 and 6 with a mean of 2.18±1.04.The number of abortions ranged between 0 and 3whith a mean of 0.61±0.03. The serum level of ALT ranged between 11 and 104 mEq/L with a mean of 49.12±27.81. The serum level of AST ranged between 13 and 84 mEq/L with a mean of 42.5±20.17. The resistance index (RI) before MgSo4 administration ranged between 0.45 and 1.0 with a mean of 0.65 ± 0.15while it ranged between 0.4 and 0.9 after MgSo4 administration with a mean of 0.63± 0.13 .There was statistical significant differences between them (p<0.001). The pulsatility index (PI) before MgSo4 administration ranged between 0.6 and 2.15 with a mean of 1.15±0.45 while it ranged between 0.5 and 0.2 after MgSo4 administration with a mean of 1.04± 0.45 .There was statistical significant differences between them (p<0.001) .
Conclusions: Infusion of MgSO4 significantly decreases the fetal RI-umbilical and PI-MCA and increases C/U ratio indices obtained with color Doppler ultrasound evaluations.
Influence of Operational Parameters on Photocatalytic Degradation of Linuron in Aqueous TiO2 Pillared Montmorillonite Suspension
Authors: Hadj Bachir D. , Boutoumi Hocine , Khalaf H. , Eloy Pierre , Schnee J. , Gaigneaux E. M. 
Published: July 2021

TiO2 pillared clay was prepared by intercalation of titan polyoxocation into interlamelar space of an Algerian montmorillonite and used for the photocatalytic degradation of the linuron herbicide as a target pollutant in aqueous solution. The TiO2 pillared montmorillonite (Mont-TiO2) was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), X-Ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), Fourier transformed infra-red (FT-IR), specific area and porosity determinations. This physicochemical characterization pointed to successful TiO2 pillaring of the clay. The prepared material has porous structure and exhibit a good thermal stability as indicated by its surface area after calcination by microwave. The effects of operating parameters such as catalyst loading, initial pH of the solution and the pollutant concentration on the photocatalytic efficiency and COD removal were evaluated. Under initial pH of the solution around seven, pollutant concentration of 10 mg/L and 2.5 g/L of catalyst at room temperature, the degradation efficiency and COD removal of linuron was best then the other operating conditions. It was observed that operational parameters play a major role in the photocatalytic degradation process. Copyright © 2021 by Authors, Published by BCREC Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
Avoiding Psychiatric Disability Overdiagnosis, Part 1: General Disability and Occupational Disability—Going Beyond Medical Impairment Assessments
Authors: Gagnon Fabien , Kertay Les 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Claims of occupational psychiatric disability have increased considerably over the past 20 years. To avoid psychiatric disability overdiagnosis, it is important to improve the clinical assessment of mental health work disability. This article discusses general disability issues and their impact on individual well-being, social participation, and frequently associated poverty. It defines the difference between impairment assessment and disability assessment, explores three common disability models, and raises issues about psychiatric disability and its potential overdiagnosis.
Acceptance procedure for the linear accelerator component of the 1.5 T MRI‐linac
Authors: Woodings Simon J. , de Vries J. H. Wilfred , Kok Jan M. G. , Hackett Sara L. , van Asselen Bram , Bluemink Johanna J. , van Zijp Helena M. , van Soest Theo L. , Roberts David A. , Lagendijk Jan J. W. , Raaymakers Bas W. , Wolthaus Jochem W. H. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPurposeTo develop and implement an acceptance procedure for the new Elekta Unity 1.5 T MRI‐linac.MethodsTests were adopted and, where necessary adapted, from AAPM TG106 and TG142, IEC 60976 and NCS 9 and NCS 22 guidelines. Adaptations were necessary because of the atypical maximum field size (57.4 × 22 cm), FFF beam, the non‐rotating collimator, the absence of a light field, the presence of the 1.5 T magnetic field, restricted access to equipment within the bore, fixed vertical and lateral table position, and the need for MR image to MV treatment alignment. The performance specifications were set for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).ResultsThe new procedure was performed similarly to that of a conventional kilovoltage x‐ray (kV) image guided radiation therapy (IGRT) linac. Results were acquired for the first Unity system.ConclusionsA comprehensive set of tests was developed, described and implemented for the MRI‐linac. The MRI‐linac met safety requirements for patients and operators. The system delivered radiation very accurately with, for example a gantry rotation locus of isocenter of radius 0.38 mm and an average MLC absolute positional error of 0.29 mm, consistent with use for SBRT. Specifications for clinical introduction were met.
Accuracy of proton stopping power estimation of silicone breast implants with single and dual‐energy CT calibration techniques
Authors: Chacko Michael S. , Grewal Hardev S. , Wu Dee , Sonnad Jagadeesh R. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractA major contributing factor to proton range uncertainty is the conversion of computed tomography (CT) Hounsfield Units (HU) to proton relative stopping power (RSP). This uncertainty is elevated with implanted devices, such as silicone breast implants when computed with single energy CT (SECT). In recent years, manufacturers have introduced implants with variations in gel cohesivity. Deriving the RSP for these implants from dual‐energy CT (DECT) can result in a marked reduction of the error associated with SECT. In this study, we investigate the validity of DECT calibration of HU to RSP on silicone breast implants of varying cohesivity levels. A DECT capable scanner was calibrated using the stoichiometric method of Bourque et al for SECT and DECT using a tissue substitute phantom. Three silicone breast implants of increasing gel cohesivity were measured in a proton beam of clinical energy to determine ground‐truth RSP and water equivalent thickness (WET). These were compared to SECT‐derived RSP at three CT spectrum energies and DECT with two energy pairs (80/140 kVp and 100/140 kVp) as obtained from scans with and without an anthropomorphic phantom. The RSP derived from parameters estimates from CT vendor‐specific software (syngo.via) was compared. The WET estimates from SECT deviated from MLIC ground truth approximately +11%–19%, which would result in overpenetration if used clinically. Both the Bourque calibration and syngo.via WET estimates from DECT yielded error ≤0.5% from ground truth; no significant difference was found between models of varying gel cohesivity levels. WET estimates without the anthropomorphic phantom were significantly different than ground truth for the Bourque calibration. From these results, gel cohesivity had no effect on proton RSP. User‐generated DECT calibration can yield comparably accurate RSP estimates for silicone breast implants to vendor software methods. However, care must be taken to account for beam hardening effects.
Effects of simvastatin on white matter integrity in healthy middle‐aged adults
Authors: Vogt Nicholas M. , Hunt Jack F. V. , Ma Yue , Van Hulle Carol A. , Adluru Nagesh , Chappell Richard J. , Lazar Karen K. , Jacobson Laura E , Austin Benjamin P. , Asthana Sanjay , Johnson Sterling C. , Bendlin Barbara B. , Carlsson Cynthia M. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe brain is the most cholesterol‐rich organ and myelin contains 70% of total brain cholesterol. Statins are potent cholesterol‐lowing medications used by millions of adults for prevention of vascular disease, yet the effect of statins on cholesterol‐rich brain white matter (WM) is largely unknown.MethodsWe used longitudinal neuroimaging data acquired from 73 healthy, cognitively unimpaired, statin‐naïve, middle‐aged adults during an 18‐month randomized controlled trial of simvastatin 40 mg daily (n = 35) or matching placebo (n = 38). ANCOVA models (covariates: age, sex,APOE‐ɛ4) tested the effect of treatment group on percent change in WM, gray matter (GM), and WM hyperintensity (WMH) neuroimaging measures at each study visit. Mediation analysis tested the indirect effects of simvastatin on WM microstructure through change in serum total cholesterol levels.ResultsAt 18 months, the simvastatin group showed a significant preservation in global WM fractional anisotropy (β = 0.88%, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.50,P = 0.005), radial diffusivity (β = −1.10%, 95% CI −2.13 to −0.06,P = 0.039), and WM volume (β = 0.72%, 95% CI 0.13 to 1.32,P = 0.018) relative to the placebo group. There was no significant effect of simvastatin on GM or WMH volume. Change in serum total cholesterol mediated approximately 30% of the effect of simvastatin on WM microstructure.ConclusionsSimvastatin treatment in healthy, middle‐aged adults resulted in preserved WM microstructure and volume at 18 months. The partial mediation by serum cholesterol reduction suggests both peripheral and central mechanisms. Future studies are needed to determine whether these effects persist and translate to cognitive outcomes.Trial RegistrationNCT00939822 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
Designing Tubular Architectures Composed of Hollow N‐Doped Carbon Polyhedrons for Improved Supercapacitance
Authors: Xu Hai , Yao Zhenjie , Gong Yujiao , Dai Henghan , Yu Chenyang , Qin Gang , Zhou Jinyuan , Chen Qiang , Liu Xiang , Sun Gengzhi 
Published: July 2021

AbstractDespite great efforts that have been made to develop high performance carbonaceous materials via structure design for charge storage applications, constructing tubular architectures composed of hierarchically nanoscale building units is challenging due to the lack of suitable synthetic method. Herein, using zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) as the self‐template and electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers as the sacrificial core, hierarchically tubular architectures composed of hollow N‐doped carbon polyhedrons (T‐HNCPs) are successfully obtained. Due to its unique structural characteristics and the merit of N‐doping, the as‐prepared T‐HNCPs electrode with much open structure (average pore size of ≈2.38 nm and specific surface area of 1302.5 m2 g−1) exhibits improved specific gravimetric capacitances of 351.2 and 230.4 F g−1 at 1 and 20 A g−1 (corresponding to 65.6% retention), respectively, together with outstanding charge/discharge stability.
Self‐Powered Organic Electrochemical Transistors with Stable, Light‐Intensity Independent Operation Enabled by Carbon‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Surendran Abhijith , Chen Shuai , Lew Jia Haur , Wu Xihu , Koh Teck Ming , Leong Wei Lin 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWearable sensors and electronics for health and environment monitoring are mostly powered by batteries or external power supply, which requires frequent charging or bulky connecting wires. Self‐powered wearable electronic devices realized by integrating with solar cells are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to supply continuous and long‐term energy to power wearable devices. However, most of the solar cells are vulnerable to significant power losses with decreasing light intensity in indoor environment, leading to an errant device operation. Therefore, stable autonomous energy in a reliable and repeatable way without affecting their operation regime is critical to attaining accurate detection behaviours of electronic devices. Herein, we demonstrate, for the first time, a self‐powered ion‐sensing organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) using carbon electrode‐based perovskite solar cells (CPSCs), which exhibits highly stable device operation and independent of the incident light intensity. The organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) powered by CPSCs maintained a constant transconductance (gm) of ≈60.50 ± 1.44 µS at light intensities ranging from 100 to 0.13 mW cm−2. Moreover, this self‐powered integrated system showed good sodium ion sensitivity of −69.77 mV decade−1, thereby highlighting its potential for use in portable, wearable, and self‐powered sensing devices.
Dendritic Interfacial Exciplex Hosts for Solution‐Processed TADF‐OLEDs with Power Efficiency Approaching 100 lm W−1
Authors: Chen Liang , Lv Jianhong , Wang Shumeng , Shao Shiyang , Wang Lixiang 
Published: July 2021

AbstractTwo kinds of interfacial exciplex hosts formed between a dendritic oligocarbazole donor (H2) and two pyridine‐containing isomeric acceptors (B4PyMPM and B3PyMPM) are developed for solution‐processed thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). The exciplex hosts exhibit small singlet−triplet energy splitting (90–110 meV) and distinct TADF effect which can convert triplet excitons into singlet ones and thus are beneficial for alleviating the triplet annihilation process. Notably, it is found that a small structural variation of acceptor from B4PyMPM (para‐linked pyridyl units) to B3PyMPM (meta‐linked pyridyl units) has a significant effect on enhancing carrier balance between donor and acceptor layers of interfacial exciplex, leading to greatly improved electroluminescent efficiency for the resultant devices. Solution‐processed TADF‐OLEDs based on H2/B3PyMPM interfacial exciplex host achieve the maximum power efficiency (PE) of 95.0 lm W−1 (85.5 cd A−1, 26.4 %), which is much better than that of H2/B4PyMPM devices (69.9 lm W−1) and represents the record PE for solution‐processed TADF‐OLEDs.
Colon‐Targeted Adhesive Hydrogel Microsphere for Regulation of Gut Immunity and Flora
Authors: Liu Hua , Cai Zhengwei , Wang Fei , Hong Liwen , Deng Lianfu , Zhong Jie , Wang Zhengting , Cui Wenguo 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIntestinal immune homeostasis and microbiome structure play a critical role in the pathogenesis and progress of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), whereas IBD treatment remains a challenge as the first‐line drugs show limited therapeutic efficiency and great side effect. In this study, a colon‐targeted adhesive core–shell hydrogel microsphere is designed and fabricated by the ingenious combination of advanced gas‐shearing technology and ionic diffusion method, which can congregate on colon tissue regulating the gut immune‐microbiota microenvironment in IBD treatment. The degradation experiment indicates the anti‐acid and colon‐targeted property of the alginate hydrogel shell, and the in vivo imaging shows the mucoadhesive ability of the thiolated‐hyaluronic acid hydrogel core of the microsphere, which reduces the systematic exposure and prolongs the local drug dwell time. In addition, both in vitro and in vivo study demonstrate that the microsphere significantly reduces the secretion of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, induces specific type 2 macrophage differentiation, and remarkably alleviates colitis in the mice model. Moreover, 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing reveals an optimized gut flora composition, probiotics including Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus significantly augment, while the detrimental communities are inhibited, which benefits the intestinal homeostasis. This finding provides an ideal clinical candidate for IBD treatment.
Nanoporous Iridium Nanosheets for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Electrolysis
Authors: Chatterjee Swarnendu , Peng Xiong , Intikhab Saad , Zeng Guosong , Kariuki Nancy N. , Myers Deborah J. , Danilovic Nemanja , Snyder Joshua 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe growth of the hydrogen economy is predicated on advancements in electrochemical energy technologies, with water electrolysis as a key component to the technological portfolio. Much of the focus on anode catalyst development for polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWE) is centered on activity as controlled by compositional and morphological impacts on reactant/intermediate/product adsorption. However, the effectiveness of this strategy is found to be limited upon integration of these materials into PEMWE membrane electrode assemblies (MEA). Regardless of catalyst activity, the combination of electrode inhomogeneity, ionomer integration, and high density of oxide–oxide interfaces yields significant performance losses associated with poor catalytic electrode conductivity. Here many of these limitations are addressed through the development of a unique catalyst morphology composed of nanoporous Ir nanosheets (npIrx‐NS) that exhibit high catalytic activity for the anodic oxygen evolution reaction and superior electrode electronic conductivity in comparison to a commercial IrO2 nanoparticle catalyst. The utility of the npIrx‐NS is demonstrated through incorporation into PEMWE MEAs where their performance exceeds that of commercial catalyst coated membranes at loadings as low as 0.06 mgIr cm−2 while exhibiting a negligible loss in performance following 50 000 accelerated stress test cycles.