bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasticized poly(vinylalcohol) and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) based patches with tunable mechanical properties for cardiac tissue engineering applications
Authors: Pushp Pallavi , Bhaskar Rakesh , Kelkar Samruddhi , Sharma Neelesh , Pathak Devendra , Gupta Mukesh Kumar 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPolyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) are the two most investigated biopolymers for various tissue engineering applications. However, their poor tensile strength renders them unsuitable for cardiac tissue engineering (CTE). In this study, we developed and evaluated PVA–PVP‐based patches, plasticized with glycerol or propylene glycol (0.1%–0.4%; v:v), for their application in CTE. The cardiac patches were evaluated for their physico‐chemical (weight, thickness, folding endurance, FT‐IR, and swelling behavior) and mechanical properties. The optimized patches were characterized for their ability to support in vitro attachment, viability, proliferation, and beating behavior of neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes (CMs). In vivo evaluation of the cardiac patches was done under the subcutaneous skin pouch and heart of rat models. Results showed that the optimized molar ratio of PVA:PVP with plasticizers (0.3%; v‐v) resulted in cardiac patches, which were dry at room temperature and had desirable folding endurance of at least 300, a tensile strength of 6–23 MPa and, percentage elongation at break of more than 250%. Upon contact with phosphate‐buffered saline, these PVA–PVP patches formed hydrogel patches having the tensile strength of 1.3–3.0 MPa. The patches supported the attachment, viability, and proliferation of primary neonatal mouse CMs and were nonirritant and noncorrosive to cardiac cells. In vivo transplantation of cardiac patches into a subcutaneous pouch and on the heart of rat models revealed them to be biodegradable, biocompatible, and safe for use in CTE applications.
Functionalized graphene oxide tablets for sample preparation of drugs in biological fluids: Extraction of ritonavir, a HIV protease inhibitor, from human saliva and plasma using LC–MS/MS
Authors: Zohdijamil Zeynab , Hashemi Mahdi , Abdel‐Rehim Abbi , Laxman Karthik , Uheida Abdusalam , Dutta Joydeep , Abdel‐Rehim Mohamed 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn this work, graphene oxide–based tablets (GO‐Tabs) were prepared by applying a thin layer of functionalized GO on a polyethylene substrate. The GO was functionalized with amine groups (–NH2) by poly(ethylene glycol)bis(3‐aminopropyl) terminated (GO‐NH2‐PEG‐NH2). The functionalized GO‐Tabs were used for the extraction of ritonavir (RTV) in human saliva samples. RTV in plasma and saliva samples was analyzed using LC–MS/MS. Gradient LC system with MS/MS in the positive‐ion mode [electrospray ionization (ESI+)] was used. The transitions m/z 721 → 269.0 and m/z 614 → 421 were used for RTV and the internal standard indinavir, respectively. This study determined the human immunodeficiency virus protease inhibitor RTV in human saliva samples using functionalized GO‐Tab and LC–MS/MS, and the method was validated. The standard calibration curve for plasma and saliva samples was constructed from 5.0 to 2000 nmol L−1. The limit of detection was 0.1 nmol L−1, and the limit of quantification was 5.0 nmol L−1 in both plasma and saliva matrices. The intra‐ and inter‐assay precision values were found to be between 1.5 and 5.8%, and the accuracy values ranged from 88.0 to 108% utilizing saliva and plasma samples. The extraction recovery was more than 80%, and the presented functionalized GO‐Tabs could be reused for more than 10 extractions without deterioration in recovery.
Inverse association of mortality and body mass index in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction of both ischemic and non‐ischemic etiologies
Authors: Brazile Tiffany , Mulukutla Suresh , Thoma Floyd , Estes N. A. Mark , Jain Sandeep , Saba Samir 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundObesity is a worldwide epidemic that has been associated with poor outcomes. Previous studies have demonstrated an inverse relationship between body mass index (BMI) and outcomes, the 'obesity paradox', in several diseases.HypothesisWe sought to evaluate whether the obesity paradox is present in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) of all etiologies, using all‐cause mortality as the primary endpoint and hospitalization as the secondary endpoint.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of LVSD patients (n = 18 003) seen within the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center network between January 2011 and December 2017. Patients were divided into four BMI categories (underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese) and stratified by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF): <20%, 20–35%, and 35–50%.ResultsOver a median follow‐up of 2.28 years, higher BMI (mean 28.9 ± 6.8) was associated with better survival for the overall cohort and within LVEF strata (p < .0001). The most common cause of hospitalization was subendocardial infarction among underweight and normal weight patients and heart failure among overweight and obese patients. Cox proportional hazards model showed that BMI, age, and comorbid conditions of diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, and prior myocardial infarction are independent predictors of death.ConclusionsOur results support the existence of an obesity paradox impacting all‐cause mortality in patients with LVSD of ischemic and non‐ischemic etiologies even after adjusting for LVEF and comorbidities. Additional research is needed to understand the effect of weight loss on survival once a diagnosis of LVSD is established.
Blockchain‐based smart contract for issuance of country of origin certificate for Indian Customs Exports Clearance
Authors: Tyagi Nitin K. , Goyal Mukta 
Published: March 2021

SummaryThe imports and exports are the major activity of any customs department of the country. Customs officers have to verify all the documents as per the customs act of the country, requirements, and give clearance for exports and imports. But due to the limited period and ease of doing business initiatives, it is impossible to verify each produced paper. Sometimes, forged documents may be produced by parties, and based on illegal documents; illegal exports and imports can be taken place. Due to existing message exchange and application program interface (API)‐based information interchange among participating parties having their centralized server, the possibility of delay in message and authenticity of the sender, information mutation may occur. So the concept of blockchain overcomes these issues by enabling secured, encrypted, immutable transactions among participating parties such as exporter/importer, banks, customs, shipping lines, international parties, and so forth. Thus, this paper proposes a blockchain‐based Business process model and notation (BPMN) framework and smart contract for the country of origin certificate management system against forged certificate in Indian customs and international usage and usage of IPFS (Inter Planetary File System) for sharing multilateral agreement files on the blockchain network.
How environmental stressors affect reproductive potential in a saltmarsh plant species Plantago maritima
Authors: Lazarus Magdalena , Mazur Jacek , Wszałek‐Rożek Katarzyna , Zwolicki Adrian 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe examined whether the presence or absence of different environmental stressors influenced the reproductive potential of a saltmarsh species—Plantago maritima. We focused on total seed output, seed quality, and biomass of progeny. So far, there are no studies trying to answer the question of how different saltmarsh management affects the quality of seed in saltmarsh species. For the purposes of the study, plots subjected to light mowing, light or heavy grazing, trampling, or rooting were designated in three nature reserves in Poland. On each plot, the abundance of infructescences per sq. meter was calculated. Mature infructescences were collected, and their length and number of fruit capsules were measured. The seeds obtained from fruit capsules were weighted and sown in controlled conditions. The germination rate and the final germination percentage were calculated. A representative number of sprouts were grown. After a period of 2 months, the individuals of P. maritima were harvested and their total dry mass was measured. It was found that heavy grazing had the greatest effect on all of the studied characteristics. The presence of this factor resulted in shorter infructescences with a smaller number of fruit capsules. However, this phenomenon was compensated by the higher abundance of infructescences per sq. meter. At the same time, seeds produced by grazed individuals were significantly lighter. Interestingly, intensive trampling by people affected P. maritima individuals in a similar way to heavy grazing, while mowing and rooting had less impact on the considered characteristics. Although a positive correlation between seed mass and germination success was found, the altogether lower seed mass had a negligible effect on germination parameters. Also, the differences in seed parameters did not affect dry mass of obtained progeny grown in laboratory conditions. Synthesis and applications: Different environmental stressors, such as grazing and mowing, have an effect on reproductive potential of a saltmarsh species P. maritima. In the case of habitats created anthropogenically, such as brackish saltmarshes, the role of management is crucial for their conservation. Therefore, searching for the best active protection methods is important. In light of the results obtained, extensive or rotational grazing appears to be the best form of saltmarsh management.
Janus kinase signaling as risk factor and therapeutic target for severe SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors: Solimani Farzan , Meier Katharina , Ghoreschi Kamran 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCytokine signaling, especially interferon (IFN) signaling is closely linked to several aspects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. During initial SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, symptomatic patients present with impaired type I/III IFN‐mediated antiviral responses. Interestingly, IFNs regulate the cellular entry receptor for SARS‐CoV‐2 on epithelial and endothelial cells. As reported recently, critically ill COVID‐19 patients show genetic polymorphisms in one IFN receptor gene (IFNRA2) and in a gene locus near the Janus kinase (JAK) TYK2, which is key for IFN, interleukin (IL)‐12 and IL‐23 signaling, and T helper (Th) 1/Th17 cell‐mediated antiviral immune responses. In the advanced stage of the disease, critically ill COVID‐19 patients develop a cytokine storm where many inflammatory mediators using the JAK/STAT signaling pathway such as IL‐6, IFN‐γ, the granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) or IL‐2, and chemokines result in an influx of macrophages and neutrophils damaging the lung tissue. The knowledge on the cytokine and JAK/STAT signaling pathways in severe COVID‐19 disease explains the promising first results with JAK inhibitors like baricitinib, which not only dampen the inflammation but in the case of baricitinib also affect virus replication and endocytosis in target cells. Here, we summarize the current immunological associations of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection with cytokine signaling, the JAK/STAT pathway, and the current clinical stage of JAK inhibitors for improving severe COVID‐19 disease.
MLLPA: A Machine Learning‐assisted Python module to study phase‐specific events in lipid membranes
Authors: Walter Vivien , Ruscher Céline , Benzerara Olivier , Thalmann Fabrice 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMachine Learning‐assisted Lipid Phase Analysis (MLLPA) is a new Python 3 module developed to analyze phase domains in a lipid membrane based on lipid molecular states. Reading standard simulation coordinate and trajectory files, the software first analyze the phase composition of the lipid membrane by using machine learning tools to label each individual molecules with respect to their state, and then decompose the simulation box using Voronoi tessellations to analyze the local environment of all the molecules of interest. MLLPA is versatile as it can read from multiple format (e.g., GROMACS, LAMMPS) and from either all‐atom (e.g., CHARMM36) or coarse‐grain models (e.g., Martini). It can also analyze multiple geometries of membranes (e.g., bilayers, vesicles). Finally, the software allows for training with more than two phases, allowing for multiple phase coexistence analysis.
Electron Beam Lithography Nanopatterning of Plasma Polymers
Authors: Askew Hannah J. , Jarvis Karyn L. , Jones Robert T. , McArthur Sally L. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractChemically patterned surfaces for biotechnology applications often require sub‐micron patterns to match specific sub‐cellular structures and control the presentation of proteins to single cell arrays. Plasma polymer coatings are used extensively in the biotechnology sector for biomaterials, cell culture and tissue engineering, but their patterning has not been investigated at the sub‐micron level. The resolution limit of plasma polymerized patterns with designed line widths of 900 to 20 nm is investigated via dual chemistry patterns of plasma polymerized acrylic acid and allylamine created with poly (methyl methacrylate) resist and electron beam lithography (EBL). Line widths are characterized via scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy with surface chemistry analysis via time‐of‐flight secondary‐ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS). The smallest line width measured is 29 nm for a designed line width of 20 nm. High‐resolution nanoscale imaging is achieved using ToF‐SIMS, with lines down to ≈60 nm in width visible. This work demonstrates the successful fabrication and characterization of sub 100 nm dual plasma polymer patterns using EBL, establishing a clear route for large scale production of plasma polymerized nanopatterning.
Evaluation of irregular breathing effects on internal target volume definition for lung cancer radiotherapy
Authors: Wikström Kenneth A. , Isacsson Ulf M. , Pinto Marta C. , Nilsson Kristina M. , Ahnesjö Anders 
Published: March 2021

PurposeIrregular breathing may compromise the treated volume for free‐breathing lung cancer patients during radiotherapy. We try to find a measure based on a breathing amplitude surrogate that can be used to select the patients who need further investigation of tumor motion to ensure that the internal target volume (ITV) provides reliant coverage of the tumor.Material and methodsFourteen patients were scanned with four‐dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) during free‐breathing. The breathing motion was detected by a pneumatic bellows device used as a breathing amplitude surrogate. In addition to the 4DCT, a breath‐hold (BH) scan and three cine CT imaging sessions were acquired. The cine images were taken at randomized intervals at a rate of 12 per minute for 8 minutes to allow tumor motion determination during a typical hypo‐fractionated treatment scenario. A clinical target volume (CTV) was segmented in the BH CT and propagated over all cine images and 4DCT bins. The center‐of‐volume of the translated CTV (CTVCOV) in the ten 4DCT bins were interconnected to define the 4DCT determined tumor trajectory (4DCT‐TT). The volume of CTV inside ITV for all cine CTs was calculated and reported at the 10th percentile (VCTV10%). The deviations between CTVCOV in the cine CTs and the 4DCT‐TT were calculated and reported at its 90th percentile (d90%). The standard deviation of the bellows amplitude peaks (SDP) and the ratio between large and normal inspirations, κrel, were tested as surrogates for VCTV10% and d90%.ResultsThe values of d90% ranged from 0.6 to 5.2 mm with a mean of 2.2 mm. The values of VCTV10% ranged from 59–93% with a mean of 78 %. The SDP had a moderate correlation (r = 0.87) to d90%. Less correlation was seen between SDP and VCTV10% (r = 0.77), κrel and d90% (r = 0.75) and finally κrel and VCTV10% (r = 0.75).ConclusionsThe ITV coverage had a large variation for some patients. SDP seems to be a feasible surrogate measure to select patients that needs further tumor motion determination.
Understanding the factors affecting the seal integrity in heat sealed flexible food packages: A review
Authors: Ilhan Ilknur , Turan Deniz , Gibson Ian , ten Klooster Roland 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSeal area represents the most problematic part in food packaging for controlling the moisture and gas ingress and preserving product quality. Understanding the mechanism of heat sealing, which is a widely used method in flexible packaging, is critical for maintaining product quality throughout the storage and preventing food waste. Likewise, understanding the factors causing the leak formation in the seal interface helps to avoid failures and increase integrity for all seal types produced by heat sealing methods. This review looks at heat sealing and its mechanisms in flexible food packaging materials and particularly focuses on the reasons behind the encountered seal integrity problems that have a detrimental effect on food quality and shelf life. Heat sealing mechanisms, form fill seal systems and seal types were analyzed. Then, factors affecting the leak formation have been grouped as process parameters, material properties, contaminants, and further processes, which is uncharted territory in open literature. Finally, the details of these groups and their interrelationships were examined and discussed. Revealed key factors as shown in this study are expected to guide future research for understanding leak formation mechanisms in flexible food packaging.
Jet tagging in the Lund plane with graph networks
Authors: Dreyer Frédéric A. , Qu Huilin 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The identification of boosted heavy particles such as top quarks or vector bosons is one of the key problems arising in experimental studies at the Large Hadron Collider. In this article, we introduce LundNet, a novel jet tagging method which relies on graph neural networks and an efficient description of the radiation patterns within a jet to optimally disentangle signatures of boosted objects from background events. We apply this framework to a number of different benchmarks, showing significantly improved performance for top tagging compared to existing state-of-the-art algorithms. We study the robustness of the LundNet taggers to non-perturbative and detector effects, and show how kinematic cuts in the Lund plane can mitigate overfitting of the neural network to model-dependent contributions. Finally, we consider the computational complexity of this method and its scaling as a function of kinematic Lund plane cuts, showing an order of magnitude improvement in speed over previous graph-based taggers.
Anomaly Non-renormalization in Interacting Weyl Semimetals
Authors: Giuliani Alessandro , Mastropietro Vieri , Porta Marcello 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWeyl semimetals are 3D condensed matter systems characterized by a degenerate Fermi surface, consisting of a pair of ‘Weyl nodes’. Correspondingly, in the infrared limit, these systems behave effectively as Weyl fermions in $$3+1$$

3
+
1

dimensions. We consider a class of interacting 3D lattice models for Weyl semimetals and prove that the quadratic response of the quasi-particle flow between the Weyl nodes is universal, that is, independent of the interaction strength and form. Universality is the counterpart of the Adler–Bardeen non-renormalization property of the chiral anomaly for the infrared emergent description, which is proved here in the presence of a lattice and at a non-perturbative level. Our proof relies on constructive bounds for the Euclidean ground state correlations combined with lattice Ward Identities, and it is valid arbitrarily close to the critical point where the Weyl points merge and the relativistic description breaks down.
Raman temperature and density measurements in supersonic jets
Authors: Wernet Mark P. , Georgiadis Nicholas J. , Locke Randy J. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPrediction of flow-field properties in supersonic jets using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code predictions has become routine; however, obtaining accurate solutions becomes more challenging when there is a significant temperature difference between the jet core and the ambient air and/or compressibility effects are significant. Benchmark sets of flow field property data are required in order to assess current CFD capabilities and develop better modeling approaches for these turbulent flow fields where accurate calculation of temperatures and turbulent heat flux is important. Particle Image Velocimetry, spontaneous rotational Raman scattering spectroscopy, and Background-Oriented Schlieren (BOS) have been previously used to acquire measurements of the mean and root-mean-square (rms) velocities, the mean and rms gas temperatures, and density gradients in subsonic jet flows and film cooling flows. In this work, the ability to measure density is added to the list of measurands available using the acquired Raman spectra. The suite of measurement techniques are now applied to supersonic jet flows. The computation of the local gas pressure in the potential core of an over-expanded jet is demonstrated using the Raman measured gas temperature and density. Additionally, a unique density feature in temperature matched, perfectly expanded jet flow shear layers identified using BOS was verified using the Raman measurement technique. These non-intrusive flow measurements are compared against RANS predictions of the supersonic jet flow properties as a means of assessing their prediction accuracy.
Graphic abstract
Analysis and manufacturing of bistable metallic profiles
Authors: Pavliuchenko Pavlo , Hirt Gerhard , Teller Marco 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBistable metal sheets with a coiled transport geometry and an unfolded profile as second stable state, are of great interest as lightweight components. It is well known that a specific distribution of residual stresses is necessary to enable bistable properties. With the help of numerical FE models, the optimal process parameters for production of such sheets are evaluated. Afterwards, incremental bending and roll forming experiments are conducted in order to analyse possible continuous production methods for bistable metallic profiles. Finally, the influence of bending and rolling radii on bistability and profile geometries in stable states are investigated.
The Role of the Cerebellum in Swallowing
Authors: Sasegbon Ayodele , Hamdy Shaheen 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSwallowing is a complex activity requiring a sophisticated system of neurological control from neurones within the brainstem, cerebral cortices and cerebellum. The cerebellum is a critical part of the brain responsible for the modulation of movements. It receives input from motor cortical and sensory areas and fine tunes these inputs to produce coordinated motor outputs. With respect to swallowing, numerous functional imaging studies have demonstrated increased activity in the cerebellum during the task of swallowing and damage to the cerebellum following differing pathological processes is associated with dysphagia. Single pulses of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) have been applied to the cerebellum and have been shown to evoke motor responses in the pharynx. Moreover, repetitive TMS (rTMS) over the cerebellum can modulate cerebral motor (pharyngeal) cortical activity. Neurostimulation has allowed a better understanding of the connections that exist between the cerebellum and cerebral swallowing motor areas in health and provides a potential treatment for neurogenic dysphagia in illness. In this review we will examine what is currently known about the role of the cerebellum in the control of swallowing, explore new findings from neurostimulatory and imaging studies and provide an overview of the future clinical applications of cerebellar stimulation for treating dysphagia.