bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neutrophil function and bactericidal activity againstStaphylococcus aureusafter cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass
Authors: Lesouhaitier Mathieu , Gregoire Murielle , Gacouin Arnaud , Coirier Valentin , Frerou Aurélien , Piau Caroline , Cattoir Vincent , Dumontet Erwan , Revest Matthieu , Tattevin Pierre , Roisne Antoine , Verhoye Jean-Philippe , Flecher Erwan , Le Tulzo Yves , Tarte Karin , Tadié Jean-Marc 
Published: August 2021

AbstractStaphylococcus aureus is the main bacterial pathogen encountered in mediastinitis after cardiac surgical procedures; it remains a devastating complication with a high mortality rate. As neutrophils have a primordial role in the defense against staphylococcus infection and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is known to induce immunosuppression, the aim of this study was to investigate CPB impact on neutrophil functions. Patients without known immunosuppression scheduled for cardiac surgery with CPB were included. Bone marrow and blood samples were harvested before, during, and after surgery. Neutrophil phenotypic maturation and functions (migration, adhesion, neutrophil extracellular trap [NET] release, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, phagocytosis, and bacteria killing) were investigated. Two types of Staphylococcus aureus strains (one from asymptomatic nasal carriage and another from mediastinitis infected tissues) were used to assess in vitro bacterial direct impact on neutrophils. We found that CPB induced a systemic inflammation with an increase in circulating mature neutrophils after surgery. Bone marrow sample analysis did not reveal any modification of neutrophil maturation during CPB. Neutrophil lifespan was significantly increased and functions such as NET release and ROS production were enhanced after CPB whereas bacteria killing and phagocytosis were not impacted. Results were similar with the two different isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. These data suggest that CPB induces a recruitment of mature neutrophils via a demargination process rather than impacting their maturation in the bone marrow. In addition, neutrophils are fully efficient after CPB and do not contribute to postoperative immunosuppression.
TIN‐Copula bias‐correction method for model‐derived maximum temperature in the MENA region
Authors: Lazoglou Georgia , Zittis George , Hadjinicolaou Panos , Lelieveld Jos 
Published: August 2021

AbstractGlobal and regional climate models' prediction accuracy is limited, often with systematic biases between the model output and observed conditions. The present research aims to minimize the biases between the maximum temperature simulated by a global (HadGEM3) and a regional (WRF) climate model for the period of 2006–2014, based on the ERA5 reanalysis data, used as a proxy for observations (calibration period 1981–2000). For the bias correction, a new approach with the TIN‐Copula method (combination of Triangular Irregular Networks‐TINs and Copulas), suitable for gridded datasets is used. The methodology applies TINs to define the grids to which the corrections are made, and copulas for analysing the dependence between the reanalysis and simulated data during the calibration period. The dependence structure is then used for the bias adjustment. Our methodology is applied to the Middle East and North Africa MENA‐CORDEX domain, where extreme heat conditions prevail, which are projected to accelerate during the 21st century. Besides to the entire area, a detailed analysis was performed for six subregions. Our results indicate that the maximum temperature output of both models diverges from the ERA5 reanalysis, especially during summer. In several subregions and seasons, discrepancies are highest for the HadGEM3 model, which has a much coarser resolution than WRF. The effectiveness of the TIN‐Copula method was tested spatially, temporally and based on two relevant climate indices [daily maximum temperature (TXx) and warm spell duration index (WSDI]), showing that it minimizes model biases.
Plant traits determining biogeomorphic landscape dynamics: A study on clonal expansion strategies driving cliff formation at marsh edges
Authors: Cao Haobing , Zhu Zhenchang , Herman Peter M.J. , Temmerman Stijn , de Smit Jaco , Zhang Liquan , Yuan Lin , Bouma Tjeerd J. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractDespite the well‐recognized importance of plant traits for biogeomorphic development of landscapes, our understanding remains limited of how species‐specific plant traits respond to and serve as drivers for the sedimentary dynamics within a biogeomorphic landscape. By manipulating a series of laboratory experiments, using mesocosms and a flume, we examined how species‐specific differences in expansion strategy, i.e., clonal step‐length of laterally expanding tillers, both respond to sediment type and drive cliff formation and persistence. We compared three marsh species, with contrasting clonal expansion traits, that are dominant in many estuaries worldwide: Spartina anglica, Scirpus maritimus, and Phragmites australis. Our results revealed that S. anglica tussocks tend to have high shoot density due to a short clonal expansion step‐length, whereas S. maritimus tussocks were much more diffuse and tend to have a longer clonal expansion step‐length. P. australis showed intermediate traits. Clonal expansion step‐length did show within‐species variation in response to sediment texture, but species‐specific differences remained the most important. Species with smaller clonal step‐lengths, such as S. anglica in this study, are more likely to induce cliffs at the marsh edge by driving formation of larger cliff heights and also having lower capacity to grow out from cliffs. Our findings thus illustrate how dynamic landscape features like cliffs at marsh edges depend on the clonal expansion traits of the dominant species. This enhances current understanding of the formation and development of marsh edges, and is instructive for understanding the role of species‐specific traits in driving distinct biogeomorphic landscape dynamics.
Synthesis and Characterization of Photo‐Graft Copolymers of Sodium Salt of Partially Carboxymethylated Tamarind Kernel Powder
Authors: Trivedi Jignesh H. , Joshi Harshil A. , Trivedi Harikrishna C. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn the present case, the functionalization of sodium salt of partially carboxymethylated tamarind kernel powder (Na‐PCMTKP, = 0.15), an industrially important natural polymer, is carried out through photo‐graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and ethyl methacrylate (EMA) onto it using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as a photo‐initiator. The effects of the concentrations of photo‐initiator (CAN), nitric acid, methacrylate monomers (MMA and EMA) and the amount of Na‐PCMTKP as well as reaction time and temperature on photo‐graft copolymerization are being investigated to achieve the maximum graft yields (%G = 232.2 and %GE = 91.0 in the case of MMA and %G = 206.2 and %GE = 90.0 in the case of EMA). A suitable mechanism to explain the photo‐graft copolymerization is being proposed. The kinetics aspect of the photo‐graft copolymerization is also studied and the values of the overall activation energy for the photo‐graft copolymerization in the case of MMA and EMA are found to be 8.10 and 10.49 kJ mol−1, respectively. Besides kinetics study, the chemical structure and thermal properties of the graft copolymers of Na‐PCMTKP containing PMMA and PEMA is studied by FTIR, TGA, and SEM techniques and the results ascertains the evidence of the successful photo‐graft copolymerization of both the methacrylate monomers onto Na‐PCMTKP. The synthesized novel graft copolymers may find their potential applications to be used as metal adsorbents as well as novel excipients for direct compression matrix tablets.
Protective Coatings Having Renewable Content Contributing towards Sustainability in Buildings
Authors: Thapliyal Prakash Chander 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMost of the materials and world economy are based on petroleum and other related non‐renewable resources. In today's time, there is growing concern worldwide for the rapidly decreasing petroleum‐based resources. Hence, among the researchers around the world, more and more focus is growing on development of materials that are partially or totally independent of non‐renewable petroleum origin resources and are sustainable. In the research group, works has been going on reducing the non‐renewable contents in building materials and especially in developing the protective coatings. Under this work, studies are carried out to see how additions of plant extracts affect the properties of acrylic resin. Also, attempts are being made to modify acrylic resin using these plant extracts to get better systems. In this paper, effect of plant extracts obtained from local plants on some of the properties of acrylic resin is described. During the investigations, it is found that when acrylic content is replaced with plant extracts up to 25%, properties do not show any adverse effect on coating behavior.
Natural Rubber/Carbon Nanotube/Ionic Liquid Composite Membranes: Vapor Permeation and Gas Permeability Properties
Authors: Therattil Jessy Anto , S. Anil Kumar , Pothan Laly A. , Maria Hanna J. , Kalarikal Nandakumar , Thomas Sabu 
Published: August 2021

AbstractNatural rubber (NR)/carbon nanotube/ionic liquid nanocomposite membranes, prepared by using sulfur as the crosslinking agent, are tested for their vapor permeation (VP) characteristics. The permeation studies are conducted using three solvents, pentane, hexane and heptane as aliphatic solvents and toluene as aromatic solvent. The effects of the ionic liquid loading, CNT loading, and penetrant size on the vapor permeability of the membranes are investigated. The vapor permeability of the nanocomposite is found to increase with an increase in the ionic liquid content and decreases with CNT loading. Generally, cyclohexane is produced by the catalytical hydrogenation of benzene at high temperature. It is very difficult to purify it by removing unreacted benzene due to the close boiling point of cyclohexane and benzene and their azeotropic mixture formation tendency. By using NR/CNT/IL nanocomposite membrane, VP technique is applied for the separation of benzene/cyclohexane mixtures, including azeotropic composition of the solvents. The gas permeabilities of the NR, NR/CNT3, and NR/CNT3/IL membranes are determined with nitrogen and oxygen. Among these membranes, NR/CNT3/IL shows highest permeability. Compared to nitrogen, oxygen shows higher permeability.
Identification of a novel COL10A1: c.1952 G>T variant in a family with Schmid metaphyseal chondrodysplasia and development of a noninvasive prenatal testing method
Authors: Ye Yanchou , Li Weihao , Wang Guan , Zhan Longsheng , Lin Junwei , Li Tian , Zhang Jun 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe collagen alpha‐1(X) chain gene (COL10A1) is a known causative gene for Schmid metaphyseal chondrodysplasia (SMCD). This study clinically examined a Chinese family (n = 42) for SMCD and inheritance pattern. Fifteen individuals were diagnosed with SMCD based on characteristic skeletal phenotypes with autosomal dominant inheritance mode.MethodsFour clinically diagnosed patients and three healthy relatives were selected for subsequent genetic tests. Trio‐whole exome sequencing (Trio‐WES) followed by Sanger sequencing and familial co‐segregation analysis were performed to identify SMCD‐associated variants.ResultsCOL10A1 (NM_000493.4):c.1952 G>T(p.Trp651Leu) variant was detected only in the four patients and not in the three healthy relatives. The variant was evaluated as “likely pathogenic” according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics variation classification guidelines with evidence of PM2, PM5, PP1, and PP3. To test the presence of the target variant in proband's fetal offspring, we developed a noninvasive prenatal testing method by extracting cell‐free fetal DNA in maternal plasma followed by high‐depth sequencing. The variant was also detected in the fetus and later confirmed by amniocentesis.ConclusionWe identified a new disease‐causing variant in COL10A1. Cell‐free fetal DNA in maternal peripheral blood can be used as the rapid and noninvasive prenatal diagnostic method to detect the pathogenic/or likely pathogenic variant.
Magnification‐driven B‐spline interpolation for cone‐beam projection and backprojection
Authors: Savanier Marion , Riddell Cyril , Trousset Yves , Chouzenoux Emilie , Pesquet Jean‐Christophe 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPurposeDiscretizing tomographic forward and backward operations is a crucial step in the design of model‐based reconstruction algorithms. Standard projectors rely on linear interpolation, whose adjoint introduces discretization errors during backprojection. More advanced techniques are obtained through geometric footprint models that may present a high computational cost and an inner logic that is not suitable for implementation on massively parallel computing architectures. In this work, we take a fresh look at the discretization of resampling transforms and focus on the issue of magnification‐induced local sampling variations by introducing a new magnification‐driven interpolation approach for tomography.MethodsStarting from the existing literature on spline interpolation for magnification purposes, we provide a mathematical formulation for discretizing a one‐dimensional homography. We then extend our approach to two‐dimensional representations in order to account for the geometry of cone‐beam computed tomography with a flat panel detector. Our new method relies on the decomposition of signals onto a space generated by nonuniform B‐splines so as to capture the spatially varying magnification that locally affects sampling. We propose various degrees of approximations for a rapid implementation of the proposed approach. Our framework allows us to define a novel family of projector/backprojector pairs parameterized by the order of the employed B‐splines. The state‐of‐the‐art distance‐driven interpolation appears to fit into this family thus providing new insight and computational layout for this scheme. The question of data resampling at the detector level is handled and integrated with reconstruction in a single framework.ResultsResults on both synthetic data and real data using a quality assurance phantom, were performed to validate our approach. We show experimentally that our approximate implementations are associated with reduced complexity while achieving a near‐optimal performance. In contrast with linear interpolation, B‐splines guarantee full usage of all data samples, and thus the X‐ray dose, leading to more uniform noise properties. In addition, higher‐order B‐splines allow analytical and iterative reconstruction to reach higher resolution. These benefits appear more significant when downsampling frames acquired by X‐ray flat‐panel detectors with small pixels.ConclusionsMagnification‐driven B‐spline interpolation is shown to provide high‐accuracy projection operators with good‐quality adjoints for iterative reconstruction. It equally applies to backprojection for analytical reconstruction and detector data downsampling.
Partial model‐free sliding mode control design for a class of disturbed systems via computational learning algorithm
Authors: Zhou Jia‐Le , Huang Long‐Yang , Song Jun , Wang Hui‐Feng 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn this article, a partial model‐free sliding mode control (SMC) strategy is proposed for a class of disturbed systems. A partial model‐free SMC law is designed to attenuate the matched external disturbances by just employing partial dynamics information. A complete model‐free policy iteration algorithm is integrated to the designed SMC scheme such that the optimal control performance of the disturbed system is achieved. The implementation of the proposed partial model‐free SMC strategy is based on a computational learning algorithm, which involves date collection, policy iteration, and optimal control phases. The feasibility of the proposed SMC strategy in data collection phase and optimal control phase are analyzed, respectively. Finally, a numerical example is employed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed SMC strategy.
Association of deployment with maintenance of healthy weight among active duty service members in the Millennium Cohort Study
Authors: Carey Felicia R. , Jacobson Isabel G. , Roenfeldt Kimberly A. , Rull Rudolph P. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractObjectiveUnderstanding body size in relation to deployment readiness can inform Department of Defense fitness policies. This study examined longitudinal associations between deployment and changes in body mass index (BMI) among active duty service members.MethodsService branch‐specific changes in BMI post‐deployment were examined using logistic regression models among active duty Millennium Cohort Study participants without obesity at baseline (n = 22,995). BMI was categorized using self‐reported height and weight as healthy weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0–29.9 kg/m2), and obese (≥30 kg/m2). Number of deployments between baseline and follow‐up and initial deployment lengths (in months, using service branch‐specific deployment times) were examined.ResultsAmong the pooled population and specifically Army and Marine Corps service members without obesity, those with longer deployments were significantly less likely to maintain a non‐obese BMI than those deploying for shorter lengths. Each additional deployment increased the likelihood of maintaining a non‐obese BMI post‐deployment for personnel in the Army, Marine Corps, and within the pooled population.ConclusionsMultiple deployments may support healthy weight maintenance; longer deployments may adversely impact weight maintenance. Future research should determine modifiable behaviors related to weight gain post‐deployment to inform fitness policies designed to optimize service member readiness and deployability.
Study on the mechanism of hydrogen bonding interactions between poly(vinyl alcohol) and ionic liquid
Authors: Chen Gang , Zuo Yangpeng , Chen Fang , Chen Ning 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe combination of ionic liquids (ILs) with polymers have attracted mushroom attention due to their complementary advantages. Hydrogen bonding interactions is usually responsible for the final properties of the obtained polymer/IL products. In this study, the interactions between an IL 1‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride ([HOEtMIM]Cl) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) have been investigated in detail by using in situ FTIR spectroscopy. In addition, two‐dimensional (2D) correlation infrared spectroscopy and perturbation correlation moving‐window two‐dimensional (PCMW2D) technique were also employed to study the microdynamics mechanism. Hydrogen bonding interactions of PVA‐IL is highly dependent on the ILs content and the temperature. Hydrogen bonds of PVA itself dominated in the system at a low ILs content of 15 wt%. However, with increasing ILs content, hydrogen bonding interactions of PVA‐ILs gradually played a major role within PVA/IL system. It was also demonstrated that hydrogen bonds between PVA and ILs interacted most strongly in the temperature range of 81–120°C.PVA/IL system is thermodynamically compatible without phase behavior, as evidenced by DMA and optical microscopy test. This research work provides a new strategy for the performance adjustment of PVA/IL materials at the theoretical level, allowing fine‐tuning of their physicochemical properties for new applications in various fields such as energy storage, sensors, and actuators.
Firing stability of tube furnace‐annealed n‐type poly‐Si on oxide junctions
Authors: Hollemann Christina , Rienäcker Michael , Soeriyadi Anastasia , Madumelu Chukwuka , Haase Felix , Krügener Jan , Hallam Brett , Brendel Rolf , Peibst Robby 
Published: August 2021

AbstractStability of the passivation quality of poly‐Si on oxide junctions against the conventional mainstream high‐temperature screen‐print firing processes is highly desirable and also expected since the poly‐Si on oxide preparation occurs at higher temperatures and for longer durations than firing. We measure recombination current densities (J0) and interface state densities (Dit) of symmetrical samples with n‐type poly‐Si contacts before and after firing. Samples without a capping dielectric layer show a significant deterioration of the passivation quality during firing. The Dit values are (3 ± 0.2) × 1011 and (8 ± 2) × 1011 eV/cm2 when fired at 620°C and 900°C, respectively. The activation energy in an Arrhenius fit of Dit versus the firing temperature is 0.30 ± 0.03 eV. This indicates that thermally induced desorption of hydrogen from SiH bonds at the poly‐Si/SiOx interface is not the root cause of depassivation. Postfiring annealing at 425°C can improve the passivation again. Samples with SiNx capping layers show an increase in J0 up to about 100 fA/cm2 by firing, which can be attributed to blistering and is not reversed by annealing at 425°C. On the other hand, blistering does not occur in poly‐Si samples capped with AlOx layers or AlOx/SiNy stacks, and J0 values of 2–5 fA/cm2 can be achieved after firing. Those findings suggest that a combination of two effects might be the root cause of the increase in J0 and Dit: thermal stress at the SiOz interface during firing and blistering. Blistering is presumed to occur when the hydrogen concentration in the capping layers exceeds a certain level.
Piloting CanCope: An internet‐delivered transdiagnostic intervention to improve mental health in cancer survivors
Authors: Smith Isabelle S. , Wellecke Cornelia , Weihs Karen L. , Bei Bei , Wiley Joshua F. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractObjectiveCanCope is an internet‐delivered, cognitive‐behavioural intervention adapted from the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders to improve emotion regulation and support the mental health of cancer survivors. Four separate pilot studies evaluated each of CanCope’s modules for (1) feasibility and participant satisfaction, and changes in (2) module‐specific outcomes, and (3) global measures of emotion dysregulation and anxiety and depressive symptoms, from pre‐to‐post module delivery.MethodsEligible cancer survivors self‐selected into one two‐week online module designed to improve a specific aspect of emotion regulation ([1] understanding emotions, [2] mindfulness of emotions, [3] cognitive reappraisals, [4] challenging emotion‐driven behaviours).ResultsAcross modules, post‐intervention surveys were completed by 17‐19 participants, (58.1%‐90.5% completion rate for participants who received the intervention). Each module was feasible and participants reported high satisfaction. Moderate‐to‐large pre‐to‐post effect sizes in mean differences were observed in module‐specific target outcomes (p’s < 0.05). Emotion dysregulation significantly decreased across modules 1 to 3 (p’s < 0.05) with a non‐significant decrease for module 4 (p = 0.13). Anxiety symptoms significantly decreased across all modules (p’s < 0.05). Depressive symptoms significantly decreased across modules 1 and 3 (p’s < 0.05), with non‐significant decreases across modules 2 (p = 0.08) and 4 (p = 0.06).ConclusionsEach CanCope module demonstrated promise in targeting emotion regulation skills and supporting the mental health of cancer survivors. Randomised controlled trials are required to test the efficacy of CanCope as an intervention in its entirety.