bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of nitrogen fertility and plant growth regulator impacts on annual bluegrass weevil (Listronotus maculicollis) oviposition and larval survivorship
Authors: Simard Audrey , Czyzewski Benjamin D. , Price Garrett Y. , McGraw Benjamin A. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe annual bluegrass weevil (Listronotus maculicollis), is the most destructive insect pest of fine turf found on golf courses in eastern North America. Although considerable densities of adults may be found on putting greens in spring following emergence from overwintering, larval damage in these areas is rare. Annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) putting surfaces are frequently treated with nitrogen and plant growth regulators during this time. We assessed whether these inputs alone and in combination influenced L. maculicollis oviposition site selection, larval fitness, or survival. Significantly more females were found in high‐nitrogen (39 kg N ha–1 mo–1) treatments in laboratory preference assays, though significantly more eggs were found in the moderate concentration treatments (19.5 kg N ha–1 mo–1). Choice and no‐choice assays demonstrated an ovipositional preference for the moderate nitrogen rate as well, though no fitness advantage was observed. Given that most P. annua greens management programs include plant growth regulation, field experiments were conducted to assess ovipositional preference in P annua treated with various nitrogen concentrations (4.88, 19.5 and 39 kg N ha–1 mo–1) in combination with a gibberellic acid inhibitor (trinexapac‐ethyl) and/or a seedhead suppressor (ethephon). Significantly fewer larvae were found in trinexapac‐ethyl treatments in two of the three years of study, with significantly higher counts in the other year. No differences were detected in larval survival or fitness related to nitrogen in any year. Taken together, these findings suggest that fertility regimes are not likely to influence L. maculicollis development, though further studies are needed to assess the effects of trinexapac‐ethyl.
The AC conductivity of human sweat ducts as the dominant factor in the sub‐THz reflection coefficient of skin
Authors: Betzalel Noa , Ben Ishai Paul , Einav Sharon , Feldman Yuri 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe helical nature of human sweat ducts, combined with the morphological and dielectric properties of skin, suggests electromagnetic activity in the sub‐THz frequency band. A detailed electromagnetic simulation model of the skin, with embedded sweat ducts, was created. The model includes realistic dielectric properties based on the measured water content of each layer of skin, derived from Raman Spectroscopy. The model was verified by comparing it to measurements of the reflection coefficient of the palms of 13 volunteers in the frequency band 350–410 GHz. They were subjected to a measurement protocol intended to induce mental stress, thereby also activating the sweat glands. The Galvanic Skin Response was concurrently measured. Using the simulation model the optimal ac‐conductivity for each measurement was found. The range of variation for all subjects was found to be from 100 S/m to a maximum value of 6000 S/m with averages of 1000 S/m. These are one order of magnitude increase from the accepted values for water at these frequencies (~100 s/m at 100 GHz). Considering the known biochemical mechanism for inducing perspiration, we conclude that these ac‐conductivity levels are probably valid, even though the real time measurements of sweat ac‐conductivity levels inside the duct are inaccessible.
Noncontrast Magnetic Resonance Radiomics and Multilayer Perceptron Network Classifier: An approach for Predicting Fibroblast Activation Protein Expression in Patients With Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Meng Yinghao , Zhang Hao , Li Qi , Xing Pengyi , Liu Fang , Cao Kai , Fang Xu , Li Jing , Yu Jieyu , Feng Xiaochen , Ma Chao , Wang Li , Jiang Hui , Lu Jianping , Bian Yun , Shao Chengwei 
Published: April 2021

BackgroundFibroblast activation protein (FAP) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is closely related to the prognosis and treatment of patients. Accurate preoperative FAP expression can better identify the population benefitting from FAP‐targeting drugs.PurposeTo develop and validate a machine learning classifier based on noncontrast MRI for the preoperative prediction of FAP expression in patients with PDAC.Study TypeRetrospective cohort study.PopulationAltogether, 129 patients with pathology‐confirmed PDAC undergoing MR scan and surgical resection; 90 patients in a training cohort, and 39 patients in a validation cohort.Field Strength/Sequence/3TBreath‐hold single‐shot fast‐spin echo T2‐weighted sequence and unenhanced and noncontrast T1‐weighted fat‐suppressed sequences.AssessmentFAP expression was quantified using immunohistochemistry. For each patient, 1409 radiomics features were extracted from T1‐ and T2‐weighted images and reduced using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression algorithm. A multilayer perceptron (MLP) network classifier was developed using the training and validation set. The MLP network classifier performance was determined by its discriminative ability, calibration, and clinical utility.Statistical TestsKaplan–Meier estimates, student's t‐test, the Kruskal–Wallis H test, and the chi‐square test, univariable regression analysis, receiver operating characteristic curve, and decision curve analysis were used.ResultsA log‐rank test showed that the survival of patients with low FAP expression (24.43 months) was significantly longer (P < 0.05) than that in the FAP‐high group (13.50 months). The prediction model showed good discrimination in the training set (area under the curve [AUC], 0.84) and the validation set (AUC, 0.77). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the training set were 75.00%, 79.41%, 0.77, 0.86, and 0.66, respectively, whereas those for the validation set were 85.00%, 63.16%, 0.74, 0.71, and 0.80, respectively.Data ConclusionsThe MLP network classifier based on noncontrast MRI can accurately predict FAP expression in patients with PDAC.Evidence Level2Technical EfficacyStage 2
Two‐Step Strategy for Optimizing the Preoperative Classification of Adnexal Masses in a University Hospital, Using International Ovarian Tumor Analysis Models
Authors: Esquivel Villabona Alba Liliana , Rodríguez Juan Nicolás , Ayala Nathalia , Buriticá Catalina , Gómez Alejandra Catalina , Velandia Aura Milena , Rodríguez Nadiezhda , Alcázar Juan Luis 
Published: April 2021

ObjectivesTo evaluate the performance of a two‐step strategy compared with the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) ‐ Assessment of Different NEoplasias in the adneXa (ADNEX) model for preoperative classification of adnexal masses.MethodsAn ambispective diagnostic accuracy study based on ultrasound data collected at one university hospital between 2012 and 2018. Two ultrasonographers classified the adnexal masses using IOTA Simple Rules (first step). Not classifiable masses were evaluated using the IOTA ADNEX model (second step). Also, all masses were classified using the IOTA ADNEX model. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio (LR+) and negative likelihood ratio (LR−), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were estimated. A P value of <.05 was used to determine statistical significance.ResultsThe study included 548 patients and 606 masses. Patients' median age was 41 years with an interquartile range between 32 and 51 years. In the first step, 89 (14%) masses were not classifiable. In the second step, 55 (61.8%) masses were classified as malignant. Furthermore, for the totality of 606 masses, the IOTA ADNEX model estimated the probability that 126 (20.8%) masses were malignant. The two‐step strategy had a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, LR+, LR−, and ROC curve of 86.8%, 91.01%, 51.9%, 98.4%, 9.7, 0.1, and 0.889, respectively; compared to IOTA ADNEX model that had values of 91.8%, 87.16%, 44.4%, 99%, 7.1, 0.09, and 0.895, respectively.ConclusionThe two‐step strategy shows a similar diagnostic performance when compared to the IOTA ADNEX model. The IOTA ADNEX model involves only one step and can be more practical, and thus would be recommended to use.
Coordination Polymers Based on Amphiphilic Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes and Transition Metal Ions (Co2 +, Ni2+): Structure and Stimuli‐Responsive Properties
Authors: Shevchenko Valery , Bliznyuk Valery , Gumenna Mariana , Klimenko Nina , Stryutsky Alexandr , Wang Junlei , Binek Christian , Chernyakova Margarita , Belikov Konstantin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSynthesis, structural organization, thermal, and magnetic properties of coordination polymers (OSS‐polymer‐Me) based on amphiphilic oligomeric silsesquioxanes (OSS) and transition metal ions (Co2+, Ni2+) are reported. The initial amphiphilic OSS containing various ratios of n‐octadecylurethane and carboxyl groups (OSS‐C18H37‐x‐COOH‐y) are characterized with two types of ordered phases. The first one is a supramolecular structure stabilized by hydrogen bonds and characterized with a specific endothermic transition on differential scanning calorimetry thermograms (Tm1). The second one is presented by crystalline domains of aliphatic chains with a melting transition peak (Tm2). Inclusion of metals has no effect on the magnitude ofTm2while leading to a decrease in the value of theTm1in comparison to the same compounds without metal. Being located in the nodes of the irregular network structure of OSS‐polymer‐Me, metal ions form ≈2 nm clusters, which connect multifunctional molecules of OSS‐C18H37‐x‐COOH‐y in a supramolecular system similar to disordered metal‐organic framework. The OSS‐polymer‐Me nanocomposites display superparamagnetic properties determined by an adaptive behavior of the intermolecular network. The latter can be modified by the application of an external magnetic field and/or moderate heat.
Methylglyoxal‐Lysine Dimer, an Advanced Glycation End Product, Induces Inflammation via Interaction with RAGE in Mesangial Cells
Authors: Lee Hee‐Weon , Gu Min Ji , Lee Jee‐Young , Lee Seungju , Kim Yoonsook , Ha Sang Keun 
Published: April 2021

IntroductionAdvanced glycation end products (AGEs) and receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) mediate renal function during diabetic and non‐diabetic nephropathy development. Methylglyoxal‐lysine dimer (MOLD), a typical toxic advanced glycation end product (TAGE), contributes to inflammatory responses during renal diseases. This study determines the effect of MOLD on inflammatory responses in mouse mesangial cells.Methods and ResultsThe murine mesangial cell line SV40 MES 13 is used to assess nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and mitochondria labeling. The interaction model between RAGE and MOLD is also determined. MOLD treatment of mesangial cells markedly increases RAGE expression and the linkage with V‐type Ig domain of RAGE. MOLD induces ROS production and mitochondrial dysfunction. MOLD activates phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase‐protein kinase B (PI3KB) and NF‐κB signaling pathways. It is confirmed that these changes are reversed when ROS is suppressed. These effects may be regulated through mitogen‐activated protein kinases and pro‐inflammatory cytokines in circulatory inflammation responses.ConclusionMOLD plays a major role in nephropathy via ROS production and mitochondrial dysfunction through direct association with RAGE. Further, the NF‐kB and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways triggered by ROS mediate the inflammatory response to exacerbate MOLD‐induced damages in inflammation‐related diabetic and non‐diabetic renal diseases.
Incorporation of residual attention modules into two neural networks for low‐dose CT denoising
Authors: Li Mei , Du Qiang , Duan Luwen , Yang Xiaodong , Zheng Jian , Jiang Haochuan , Li Ming 
Published: April 2021

PurposeThe low‐dose computed tomography (CT) imaging can reduce the damage caused by x‐ray radiation to the human body. However, low‐dose CT images have a different degree of artifacts than conventional CT images, and their resolution is lower than that of conventional CT images, which can affect disease diagnosis by clinicians. Therefore, methods for noise‐level reduction and resolution improvement in low‐dose CT images have inevitably become a research hotspot in the field of low‐dose CT imaging.MethodsIn this paper, residual attention modules (RAMs) are incorporated into the residual encoder–decoder convolutional neural network (RED‐CNN) and generative adversarial network with Wasserstein distance (WGAN) to learn features that are beneficial to improving the performances of denoising networks, and developed models are denoted as RED‐CNN‐RAM and WGAN‐RAM, respectively. In detail, RAM is composed of a multi‐scale convolution module and an attention module built on the residual network architecture, where the attention module consists of a channel attention module and a spatial attention module. The residual network architecture solves the problem of network degradation with increased network depth. The function of the attention module is to learn which features are beneficial to reduce the noise level of low‐dose CT images to reduce the loss of detail in the final denoising images, which is also the key point of the proposed algorithms.ResultsTo develop a robust network for low‐dose CT image denoising, multidose‐level torso phantom images provided by a cooperating equipment vendor are used to train the network, which can improve the network’s adaptability to clinical application. In addition, a clinical dataset is used to test the network’s migration capabilities and clinical applicability. The experimental results demonstrate that these proposed networks can effectively remove noise and artifacts from multidose CT scans. Subjective and objective analyses of multiple groups of comparison experiments show that the proposed networks achieve good noise suppression performance while preserving the image texture details.ConclusionIn this study, two deep learning network models are developed using multidose‐level CT images acquired from a commercial spiral CT scanner. The two network models can reduce and even remove streaking artifacts, and noise from low‐dose CT images confirms the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
On the inducibility problem for random Cayley graphs of abelian groups with a few deleted vertices
Authors: Fox Jacob , Sauermann Lisa , Wei Fan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGiven a k‐vertex graph H and an integer n, what are the n‐vertex graphs with the maximum number of induced copies of H? This question is closely related to the inducibility problem introduced by Pippenger and Golumbic in 1975, which asks for the maximum possible fraction of k‐vertex subsets of an n‐vertex graph that induce a copy of H. Huang, Lee, and the first author proved that for a random k‐vertex graph H, almost surely the n‐vertex graphs maximizing the number of induced copies of H are the balanced iterated blow‐ups of H. In this article, we consider the case where the graph H is obtained by deleting a small number of vertices from a random Cayley graph of an abelian group. We prove that in this case, almost surely all n‐vertex graphs maximizing the number of induced copies of H are balanced iterated blow‐ups of .
Sacubitril‐Based Urea and Thiourea Derivatives as Novel Inhibitors for Anti‐Tubercular against Dormant Tuberculosis
Authors: Konduri Srihari , Pogaku Vinay , Prashanth Jyothi , Siva Krishna Vagolu , Sriram Dharmarajan , Basavoju Srinivas , Behera J. N. , Prabhakara Rao Koya 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn the present study, we have attempted to identify Sacubitril derivatives as lead compounds for dormant tuberculosis. A total of twenty‐one compounds belongs to a series of the Sacubitril derivatives 5(a–u) were synthesized using (2R,4S)‐5‐([1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4‐yl)‐4‐(amino)‐2‐methylpentanoic acid ethyl ester hydrochloride with different isocyanates and isothiocyanates. All the compounds structures were determined by 1H & 13C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and CHN analysis. Compound, 5 r, the structure confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis (SXRD). The newly synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro antituberculosis activity (anti‐TB) against dormant Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (ATCC27294). Among the twenty‐one compounds, 5 p and 5 q were exhibited good potent anti‐TB activity compared to the standard drug Ethambutol. Further, the anti‐TB activities of the compounds (5 p and 5 q) were evaluated against M. tuberculosis (Mtb) using the nutrient starvation model (NSM). Moreover, these two compounds, 5 p and 5 q have shown significant inhibition of growth of Mtb as compared to the control. To determine the toxicity nature, the potent anti‐TB active compounds were evaluated against RAW 264.7 cells. Further, the anti‐TB activities of all these compounds have shown a good correlation to their in‐silico molecular docking analysis by exhibiting strong interactions with the inhibitor Mur‐B.
Study on the Adsorption of Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide by Zeolitic Imidazole Framework
Authors: Tang Qingqing , Duan Ming , Cen Chi , Jiao Yanjun , Xiong Yan , Fang Shenwen 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThree types of Zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8 s), i. e. ZIF‐8(MeOH), ZIF‐8(H2O), and ZIF‐8(NH3.H2O), were synthesized by using different solvents. Influences of the ZIF‐8 type, hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) property, and salinity of the solution on their adsorption performance were discussed. The results indicated that ZIF‐8(NH3 ⋅ H2O) showed larger adsorption capacity compared to other counterparts. An increase in the hydrolysis degree of HPAM had a positive influence on the adsorption capacity of ZIF‐8(NH3 ⋅ H2O). With the increase of NaCl concentration in the solution, the adsorption capacity of ZIF‐8(NH3 ⋅ H2O) first increased and then decreased. Adsorption thermodynamics and kinetic investigation showed that the adsorption of HPAM by ZIF‐8 is a spontaneous endothermic chemisorption process. The influences of injection rate, temperature, ZIF‐8 mass and HPAM initial concentration on the dynamic adsorption were investigated. The processing volume per unit mass of ZIF‐8 increased with the increasing temperature, ZIF‐8 mass and HPAM initial concentration, while decreased with the increasing injection rate. Lastly, the adsorption mechanism was analyzed. The results of IR and XPS confirmed that the HPAM adsorption on ZIF‐8 was caused by three interactions, including the electrostatic attraction between ZIF‐8 and HPAM, the coordination interaction between Zn2+ and NH+ with COO−, and the hydrogen bonding between nitrogen and amide group.
Green Conversion of N‐Acetylglucosamine into Valuable Platform Compound 3‐Acetamido‐5‐acetylfuran Using Ethanolamine Ionic Liquids as Recyclable Catalyst
Authors: Zang Hongjun , Li Huanxin , Jiao Shuolei , Lou Jing , Du Yannan , Huang Nalan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractN‐acetylglucosamine (NAG) is the monomer of chitin which is the most abundant nitrogen‐containing biomass. Thus, NAG is a potential nitrogen‐rich feedstock for the production of renewable organonitrogen chemicals. In this work, ethanolamine ionic liquids were synthesized easily from inexpensive raw materials and subsequently used as catalysts for NAG conversion to produce 3‐acetamido‐5‐acetylfuran (3A5AF). Using triethanolamine hydrochloride ([TEA]Cl) ionic liquid as the catalyst, a high 3A5AF yield of 62.0 % was obtained at the optimum reaction conditions of 170 °C and 20 min. Moreover, this ionic liquid exhibited good reusability and still had good catalytic activity after recycling five times. High‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS) analysis provided the relevant basis for rationalizing the reaction mechanism. Therefore, our study presents an intriguing and sustainable protocol for the direct conversion of NAG.
DFT Insight into the Kinetics and Mechanism of the OH.‐Initiated Atmospheric Oxidation of Catechol: OH. Addition and Hydrogen Abstraction Pathways
Authors: Rahbar Ali , Zahedi Ehsan , Aghaie Hossein , Giahi Masoud , Zare Karim 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGas phase oxidation of catechol with hydroxyl radical is expected as dominant atmospheric removal process. The mechanism and kinetics of OH.‐initiated atmospheric oxidation of catechol was investigated theoretically by employing of M06‐2X/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level of theory at 300 K and 760 Torr by considering of OH. addition and H‐atom abstraction reactions. Oxidation of catechol begins with reversible formation of pre‐reactive molecular complex and its conversion to products in unimolecular manner. Fall‐off pressure expression indicated that canonical transition state theory breaks down to estimate rate constant at 760 Torr. RRKM unimolecular rates were corrected for basis set superposition error and quantum tunneling effects. RRKM bimolecular rates for OH. addition and H‐atom abstraction pathways at 300 K and 760 Torr were about 10−12 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. The RRKM bimolecular rate for oxidation of catechol triggered by OH. at 300 K and 760 Torr was 9.45×10−12 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 and its temperature dependence over 200–400 K can be expressed by the lnk=(2929.8/T)+(5.82×10−16), indicating that reaction rate is negatively dependent on the temperature. H‐atom abstraction from the hydroxy group at the C2 position and addition of OH. onto the C2 atom are the most favorable processes. Evolution of branching ratios demonstrate that the OH.‐initiated oxidation of catechol is not essentially selective process.
Exceptional Catalytic Activity of Cu−Zn/ZrO2 Mixed Metal Oxide towards the Oxidation Reaction
Authors: Bankar Balasaheb D. , Advani Jacky H. , Biradar Ankush V. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractHerein, we report the catalytic activity of the copper and zinc doped ZrO2‐based mixed metal oxide system towards the oxidation reaction. To study this attribute, different weight % loadings of copper and zinc supported on zirconia catalysts were synthesized by co‐precipitation followed by the hydrothermal method. The synthesized catalysts were characterized by various physicochemical methods. X‐ray analysis revealed that mainly cubic zirconia (111) planes were formed, and up to 0 to 25 wt.% Cu and Zn were doped in the zirconia lattice. Also, elemental mapping revealed uniform dispersion of Cu, Zn, Zr, and O elements. The catalytic activity of the synthesized catalyst was studied for olefin epoxidation and alcohol oxidation reactions using aqueous tert‐butyl hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant. Among all the synthesized catalysts, 2 wt.% doping of 1 : 1 Cu: Zn on ZrO2 gave almost complete olefin conversion with the best selectivity towards epoxides under optimized reaction conditions. Furthermore, the selected catalyst showed excellent substrate scope for different olefins and alcohol oxidation. Also, the catalyst was successfully recycled up to five cycles without affecting the conversion and selectivity.