bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of magnetic field strength on the positron range and projected annihilation artifact in integrated PET/MR systems: A GATE Monte Carlo study
Authors: Barati Sepideh , Enferadi Milad , Sarkar Saeed , Geramifar Parham 
Published: October 2021

AbstractPurposeWith improvements in positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) over the last decade, there is a need to investigate the projected annihilation (shine‐through) artifact and resolution impact for different PET radiopharmaceuticals, magnetic field (MF) strengths, and tissues.MethodsThe GATE Monte Carlo (MC) simulation was used to simulate the annihilation distribution of positrons in different tissues and MFs. The positron distribution was studied in magnetic field (MF) intensities up to 15 T for 11C, 13N, 15O, 18F, 68Ga, and 82Rb. Moreover, the image quality in terms of the occurrence of projected annihilation artifacts was investigated using the 4D anthropomorphic digital extended cardiac‐torso (XCAT) phantom.ResultsPositron ranges were restricted across the directions perpendicular to the MF, but no change along the direction of the MF was detected. The projected annihilation artifacts were observed with the presence of MF in the sagittal and coronal view of PET images prepared from the XCAT phantom. The intensity of artifact was constant in MFs higher than 3 T. The significant effect of the MF on resolution improvement was observed in soft tissue for 68Ga in 7 T and 82Rb in 3 and 7 T, while higher MFs have no impact on resolution. The improvement of resolution in the lung tissue was observed for the medium‐ and high‐energy radionuclides in 7 T MF.ConclusionThe MF can create the projected annihilation artifact in the boundary of air cavities and other tissues for medium‐ and high‐energy radionuclides especially for 68Ga in clinical studies. In addition, the strength of the MFs more than 3 T was ineffective on the intensity of the projected annihilation artifact. In a clinical PET/MR scanner, MF has remarkable spatial resolution improvement in lung tissue, especially for medium‐ and high‐energy radionuclides, and negligible effect in bone and soft tissue for most radionuclides.
Comparison between patient‐reported and physician‐estimated pain and disability in hand and wrist disorders
Authors: Berduszek Redmar J. , Reinders‐Messelink Heleen A. , Dijkstra Pieter U. , van der Sluis Corry K. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundPain and disability are important components of the assessment of hand problems, but it is unknown how physician estimates compare to patient self‐reports.ObjectiveTo analyse differences between patient‐reported and physician‐estimated pain and disability in patients with hand or wrist disorders and to analyse factors influencing these differences.MethodsObservational study of patients with hand or wrist disorders seen during multidisciplinary outpatient consultations. Patients, rehabilitation medicine (RM) consultants, RM trainees and plastic surgeons completed visual analogue scales (VASs) to rate the level of self‐reported (patients) or estimated (physicians) pain and disability. Multilevel analyses were performed to evaluate differences in VAS‐pain and VAS‐disability scores between patients and physicians and to evaluate the influences of diagnosis, physician experience and medical specialty.ResultsComplete data were obtained for 250 patients. Levels of pain and disability estimated by physicians were lower compared to patient self‐reports. Ratings differed among medical specialties. Pain was underestimated to a greater extent by plastic surgeons compared to RM consultants. Disability was underestimated to a greater extent by RM consultants compared to plastic surgeons. Estimates of pain and disability did not differ between consultants and trainees in RM. Type of diagnosis did not influence the degree of underestimation of pain and disability.ConclusionsPhysicians underestimate pain and disability compared to self‐reports in patients with hand or wrist disorders. Ratings differ among medical specialties: plastic surgeons underestimate pain more, while RM consultants underestimate disability more. Physician experience and diagnosis do not influence the degree of underestimation of pain and disability.
Plasticity in Abundance and Demographic Responses of Walleye to Elevated Exploitation in a North Temperate Lake
Authors: Sass Greg G. , Shaw Stephanie L. , Sikora Logan W. , Lorenzoni Matthew , Luehring Mark 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Knowledge of density-dependent responses of fish populations to exploitation is important for the sustainable management of fisheries and in structuring fish populations to meet angler desires. To better understand the density-dependent responses of Walleye Sander vitreus to exploitation, we conducted a 10-year, 50% annual exploitation experiment on Sherman Lake, Wisconsin, during 2007–2016. In the following order, annual exploitation goals were met through liberalized recreational angling regulations, tribal spearfishing, and physical removals (if necessary). Response variables included total and sex-specific adult density, age-0 and age-1 relative abundance, age-0 to age-1 survival, length at maturity, individual growth, and population size structure. To control for environmental and interannual influences on adult density and recruitment, unexploited Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin, was used as a reference system. Total and sex-specific adult density and age-0 relative abundance did not differ between Sherman and Escanaba lakes. Age-1 relative abundance was significantly higher and more variable under elevated exploitation compared with the reference lake. Age-0 to age-1 survival significantly increased between pretreatment and elevated-exploitation time periods. Sex-specific length at maturity significantly declined between pretreatment and elevated-exploitation time periods. Mean juvenile length at age increased, male asymptotic length declined, and the proportional size distribution of quality-sized Walleye declined between pretreatment and elevated-exploitation time periods. Our results suggest that compensatory age-0 to age-1 survival and declines in length at maturity interacted to offset elevated-exploitation effects on adult density. Likewise, density-dependent growth responses were most evident in juveniles. Although the Sherman Lake Walleye population appeared resilient to elevated exploitation, we caution that this level of long-term exploitation is likely not sustainable for most Walleye populations due to the findings of previous exploitation studies and observations of depensatory recruitment dynamics in Walleye.
Estimating and increasing the structural robustness of a network
Authors: Noschese Silvia , Reichel Lothar 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe capability of a network to cope with threats and survive attacks is referred to as its robustness. This article discusses one kind of robustness, commonly denoted structural robustness, which increases when the spectral radius of the adjacency matrix associated with the network decreases. We discuss computational techniques for identifying edges, whose removal may significantly reduce the spectral radius. Nonsymmetric adjacency matrices are studied with the aid of their pseudospectra. In particular, we consider nonsymmetric adjacency matrices that arise when people seek to avoid being infected by Covid‐19 by wearing facial masks of different qualities.
Synthesis of thiophene‐based conjugated microporous polymers for high iodine and carbon dioxide capture
Authors: Wang Li , Xie Wei , Xu Guangjuan , Zhang Shuran , Yao Chan , Xu Yanhong 
Published: October 2021

AbstractTwo new thiophene‐based conjugated microporous polymers (BTCMP‐1 and BTCMP‐2) were synthesized by cross‐coupling polycondensation reaction of dithiophene derivatives, 1,4‐phenylenediboronic acid and 1,2,4,5‐tetrafluorobenzene. BTCMP‐1 and BTCMP‐2 display good physicochemical stability and outstanding CO2 adsorption capacity (648 and 289 mg/g at 50 bar and 318 K, respectively). In addition, BTCMP‐1 and BTCMP‐2 exhibit high iodine adsorption of 480 and 284 wt%, respectively. BTCMP‐1 has relatively loose accumulation and good porosity, which leads to higher iodine adsorption value of BTCMP‐1 than that of BTCMP‐2. The obtained thiophene‐based conjugated microporous polymers are ideal materials for iodine capture and carbon dioxide capture.
Mechanical characterization and water absorption behaviors of pineapple leaf/glass fiber‐reinforced polypropylene hybrid composites
Authors: Ng Lin Feng , Yahya Mohd Yazid , Muthukumar Chandrasekar 
Published: October 2021

AbstractHybrid composites have become the focal point of research communities due to the balance in mechanical and ecological properties of such materials. Hybridization is an efficient technique to strengthen and enhance the performance of composite materials. In this research study, hybrid composites were prepared by embedding pineapple leaf and glass fibers in polypropylene polymers via the hot press molding compression technique. Mechanical tests were carried out to determine the tensile, flexural and Charpy impact properties of pineapple leaf/glass fiber‐reinforced hybrid composite laminates. Additionally, water absorption test was also conducted to investigate the influence of hybridization on the moisture uptake of hybrid composites. In accordance with the findings obtained, the hybridization of pineapple leaf with glass fibers was found to improve the mechanical properties and moisture uptake sensitivity of the composite laminates. The [G/P/G] composite laminates are especially promising, having comparable mechanical strengths to those of non‐hybrid [G/G/G] composite laminates. Meanwhile, the water absorption and diffusion coefficient of [G/P/G] composite laminates were 66.64% and 40.71% lower than non‐hybrid [P/P/P] composite laminates. Based on the findings obtained, it is anticipated that the hybridization of pineapple leaf and glass fibers endows the composite laminates with lightweight characteristic, remarkable mechanical properties and low moisture uptake sensitivity while improving the environmental friendliness of the materials. Therefore, hybrid composites have indeed attested a very high potential to be used in transportation sectors.
Fabrication and evaluation of homogeneous alginate/polyacrylamide–chitosan–gelatin composite hydrogel scaffolds based on the interpenetrating networks for tissue engineering
Authors: Chen Xiuqiong , Yan Huiqiong , Bao Chaoling , Zhu Qingmei , Liu Zhaowen , Wen Yanshi , Li Zhengyue , Zhang Tong , Lin Qiang 
Published: October 2021

AbstractInterpenetrating polymer network (IPN) is generally considered to be one of the most effective methods for imparting high‐strength mechanical properties to hydrogel materials. To broaden the application of alginate hydrogel in skeletal muscle or muscle tissue engineering, the interpenetrating network technology and layer‐by‐layer (LBL) electrostatic assembly were proposed to fabricate the homogeneous alginate/polyacrylamide–chitosan–gelatin (Alg/PAAM–CS–GT) composite hydrogel scaffolds, using the hydroxyapatite/d‐glucono‐δ‐lactone (HAP/GDL) complex as the gelling system. The effects of different components of alginate/polyacrylamide (Alg/PAAM) on the morphology, mechanical properties, swelling, degradability, and cytocompatibility of the hydrogel scaffolds were comparatively characterized. Experimental results showed that the as‐prepared Alg/PAAM–CS–GT composite hydrogel scaffolds exhibited sharp edges and regular 3D structures. Their pore structure could be regulated by changing the content of PAAM in Alg/PAAM–CS–GT composite hydrogel scaffolds. And the filling of PAAM reduced the pores and thickened the pore walls, which obviously enhanced the mechanical properties of Alg/PAAM–CS–GT composite hydrogel scaffolds. FT‐IR and thermogravimetric analysis showed that O‧‧‧N hydrogen bonding between COOH of SA and NH2 of PAAM could be helpful to improve the thermal stability of the composite hydrogel scaffolds. The swelling and biodegradation measurements indicated that the swelling and degradation of Alg/PAAM–CS–GT composite hydrogel scaffolds could be effectively regulated by changing the component content of the composite hydrogel. In addition, the in vitro cytocompatibility analysis showed that the Alg/PAAM–CS–GT composite hydrogel scaffolds could support the growth of MC3T3‐E1 cells and promote cell proliferation and differentiation. According to the in vitro cytocompatibility test results, the optimum PAAM content for the Alg/PAAM–CS–GT composite hydrogel scaffolds was 60%. Because of good morphology, well‐developed pores, excellent mechanical properties, and high biological activity of Alg/PAAM–CS–GT composite hydrogel scaffolds, they could be suitable for application in the tissue engineering field.
Trans‐kingdom expression of an insect endogenous microRNA in rice enhances resistance to striped stem borer Chilo suppressalis
Authors: Liu Haoju , Shen Enlong , Wu Hao , Ma Weihua , Chen Hao , Lin Yongjun 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe striped stem borer (SSB), Chilo suppressalis Walker, is a major pest of rice worldwide. Breeding of transgenic rice expressing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins is a powerful strategy to control SSB. However, pests may evolve certain resistance to Bt toxins in transgenic plants. Hence, new controlling strategies must be continuously developed.RESULTSWe successfully generated SSB‐resistant rice (csu‐53) expressing the artificial microRNA (amiRNA) of SSB endogenous miRNA (csu‐novel‐miR53) through the RNAi‐based technology. Feeding assays demonstrated that csu‐53 rice inhibited larval growth, delayed pupation time, and reduced pupal weight and eclosion rate of SSB larva. In a 10‐day feeding experiment, the miRNA mimic of csu‐novel‐miR53 also suppressed larval growth and more importantly increased larval mortality. Transcriptome analysis identified 28 differentially expressed unigenes (DEGs) in the midgut between SSB larvae fed on csu‐53 rice and the wild type. One DEG (DN90065_c0_g12) validated by qRT‐PCR had a predicted target site of csu‐novel‐miR53. In addition, in vitro double‐stranded RNA synthesis and further feeding assay proved that DN90065_c0_g12 is most likely the target of csu‐novel‐miR53.CONCLUSIONamiRNA‐mediated strategy can be applied to the development of insect‐resistant crops, and the novel amiRNA csu‐novel‐miR53 of SSB has important application potential in developing SSB resistant rice. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Associations between migration and commuting to work in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo
Authors: de Castro Lameira Verônica , Golgher André Braz 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThis paper investigates associations between migration and inter‐municipal commuting to work in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo with two main objectives: to determine whether a connection exists between long‐term relocation and daily travel and to determine whether this relationship is dependent on the distance of the migratory process. The empirical strategy is based on the estimation of univariate and bivariate probit models applied to microdata of the Brazilian Demographic Census of 2010. Different socio‐economic and demographic characteristics, such as sex, age, civil status, household arrangements and labour market features, were associated with both inter‐municipal commuting and migration. Moreover, associations between inter‐municipal commuting and migration depended on the distance of migration. It was observed that inter‐municipal commuting and intrametropolitan migration are complementary, whereas commuting and longer distance migration are substitutes.
First wave of SARS‐COV2 in Europe: Study and typology of the 15 worst affected European countries
Authors: Tragaki Alexandra , Richard Jean‐Luc 
Published: October 2021

AbstractSince 11 March 2020 when officially declared a global pandemic, Covid‐19 (or SARS‐COV2) has turned out to be a multifaceted disease differently affecting countries and individuals. What makes certain countries more vulnerable than others has attracted the interest of scientists from various disciplines. This paper intends to compare the impact of demographic parameters, population health conditions and policy actions on prevalence and fatality levels of Covid‐19 during the first 3 months since its declaration of global pandemic. A country‐level exploratory analysis has been conducted in order to assess how demography, national health conditions and measures taken interact and condition the disease outcomes. Analysis relies on publicly available data on Covid‐19 reported cases, deaths and number of persons tested. Those data are combined with demographic parameters (sex ratio, mean age, population density and life expectancy), health data (cardiovascular death rate, diabetes prevalence, share of smokers among males and females and number of hospital beds) and information about relative national policies aiming the management of the pandemic (lockdown timing and duration). Our analysis confirms the diversity of factors and the complexity of their interaction in explaining the propagation and fatality of the disease across Europe. Our findings question some well‐established attitudes concerning the role of demographic variables and public health conditions in the spread of the disease.
Peonidin‐3‐O‐glucoside and cyanidin increase osteoblast differentiation and reduce RANKL‐induced bone resorption in transgenic medaka
Authors: Ren Zhitao , Raut Nishikant A. , Lawal Temitope O. , Patel Shital R. , Lee Simon M. , Mahady Gail B. 
Published: October 2021

Experimental and clinical studies suggest a positive impact of anthocyanins on bone health; however, the mechanisms of anthocyanins altering the differentiation and function of osteoblasts and osteoclasts are not fully understood. This work demonstrates that dietary anthocyanins and resveratrol increased proliferation of cultured human hFOB 1.19 osteoblasts. In addition, treatment of serum starvation of hFOB osteoblasts with anthocyanins and resveratrol at 1.0 μg/ml reduced apoptosis, the Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio, p53, and HDAC1 expression, but increased SIRT1/3 and PGC1α mRNA expression, suggesting mitochondrial and epigenetic regulation. In Sp7/osterix:mCherry transgenic medaka, peonidin‐3‐O‐glucoside and resveratrol increased osteoblast differentiation and increased the expression of Sp7/osterix. Cyanidin, peonidin‐3‐O‐glucoside, and resveratrol also reduced RANKL‐induced ectopic osteoclast formation and bone resorption in col10α1:nlGFP/rankl:HSE:CFP medaka in doses of 1–4 μg/ml. The results indicate that both cyanidin and peonidin‐3‐O‐glucoside have anabolic effects on bone, increasing osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, mitochondrial biogenesis, and by altering the osteoblast epigenome. Cyanidin and peonidin‐3‐O‐glucoside also reduced RANKL‐induced bone resorption in a transgenic medaka model of bone resorption. Thus, peonidin‐3‐O‐glucoside and cyanidin appear to both increase bone formation and reduce bone loss, suggesting that they be further investigated as potential treatments for osteoporosis and osteomalacia.
Effect of early rescue ICSI and split IVF‐ICSI in preventing low fertilization rate during the first ART cycle: A real‐world retrospective cohort study
Authors: Jiang Linlin , Qian Yifan , Chen Xiaoli , Ji Xiaohui , Ou Songbang , Li Ruiqi , Yang Dongzi , Li Yu 
Published: October 2021

AbstractPurposeTo determine the utility of short gamete coincubation in in vitro fertilization (IVF‐S) combined with early rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection (R‐ICSI) and split IVF‐ICSI in preventing low fertilization based on a retrospective cohort study.MethodsCouples with a high risk of low IVF fertilization during the first ART cycle underwent IVF‐S with R‐ICSI or split IVF‐ICSI. Fertilization rate, embryo quality, and clinical outcomes were measured.ResultsAfter propensity score matching, we included 188 couples in the IVF‐S with R‐ICSI group as Group 1 and 720 in the split IVF‐ICSI group as Group 2. Normal fertilization rates were similar; however, Group 1 had a higher multiple pronuclei rate (10.42% vs. 4.50%, p < 0.001) but a higher embryo utilization rate (59.84% vs. 53.60%, p < 0.001). The groups were similar in the rates of high‐quality embryos, embryo implantation, clinical pregnancy, and live birth. Low IVF fertilization rate was 4.79% and 9.03% in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively, with similar fertilization rate and embryo development.ConclusionIVF‐S with early R‐ICSI and split IVF‐ICSI were effective strategies in preventing low fertilization rate. IVF‐S with early R‐ICSI could become the preferred approach because of its advantages—higher embryo utilization rate, fewer ICSI procedures, similar clinical pregnancy rate, and live birth rate.
Positive associations of soil organic matter and crop yields across a regional network of working farms
Authors: Oldfield Emily E. , Bradford Mark A. , Augarten Abigail J. , Cooley Eric T. , Radatz Amber M. , Radatz Timothy , Ruark Matthew D. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe amount of soil organic matter (SOM) is considered a key indicator of soil properties associated with higher fertility. Despite the ubiquity of assumptions surrounding SOM's contributions to soil functioning, we lack quantitative relationships between SOM and yield outcomes on working farms. We quantified the relationship between SOM and yields of corn (Zea mays L.) and silage for a dataset of 170 fields arrayed across 49 farms in a network of growers based in Wisconsin and Minnesota, USA. As SOM concentrations increase so do yields, though gains start to level off around 4% SOM. When examining the relationship between yield and soil health indicators representative of biologically active C pools, we found that mineralizable C has a stronger relationship with yield than permanganate oxidizable C. Mineral fertilizer, manure, and SOM had relationships of similar magnitude with yield, highlighting that SOM in combination with exogenous inputs likely plays an important role in driving agricultural productivity in this region. An interaction between SOM and crop rotation indicated that the impact of SOM on crop yields varied depending on rotation (continuous corn vs. corn in rotation). That is, continuous corn had lower yields than corn in rotation despite higher SOM concentrations. Our findings provide insight into the relationship between indicators of soil health, farm management, and crop yields for a set of working farms and lend support to the goals of soil health initiatives that rest on building SOM in agricultural soils to improve agricultural outcomes.
The fairness‐accuracy Pareto front
Authors: Wei Susan , Niethammer Marc 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAlgorithmic fairness seeks to identify and correct sources of bias in machine learning algorithms. Confoundingly, ensuring fairness often comes at the cost of accuracy. We provide formal tools in this work for reconciling this fundamental tension in algorithm fairness. Specifically, we put to use the concept of Pareto optimality from multiobjective optimization and seek the fairness‐accuracy Pareto front of a neural network classifier. We demonstrate that many existing algorithmic fairness methods are performing the so‐called linear scalarization scheme, which has severe limitations in recovering Pareto optimal solutions. We instead apply the Chebyshev scalarization scheme which is provably superior theoretically and no more computationally burdensome at recovering Pareto optimal solutions compared to the linear scheme.