bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ovarian stimulation reduces fetal growth by dysregulating uterine natural killer cells in mice
Authors: Zhang Jianhua , Jin Ni , Ma Yuan , Lu Jie , Wang Jingjing , Chen Shuqiang , Wang Xiaohong 
Published: August 2021

AbstractOvarian stimulation is associated with a higher risk of low birth weight. However, the precise mechanisms by which ovarian stimulation increases the chances of low birth weight remain unclear. In this mouse model study, in vivo developed blastocysts that were not exposed to gonadotropins were transferred into pseudopregnant females that had mated naturally (the control group), pseudopregnant females that had been administered a low dose of ovulation‐stimulating hormone (the L‐SO group) and pseudopregnant females that had been administered a high dose of ovulation‐stimulating hormone (the H‐SO group). The embryo implantation rate and fetal weight were significantly lower in the L‐SO and H‐SO groups than in the control group. The density of Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA)+ uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in the decidua basalis was significantly lower in the L‐SO and H‐SO groups than in the control group. Ovarian stimulation also downregulated a variety of cytokines related to uNK cells that are involved in placental angiogenesis and trophoblast invasion. Collectively, our findings indicate that ovarian stimulation impairs DBA+ uNK cell density in the decidua basalis, which may downregulate uNK‐related cytokine secretion and influence placental angiogenesis and restrict fetal growth in mice.
Minimal artifact actively shimmed metallic needles in MRI
Authors: Sengupta Saikat , Yan Xinqiang , Hoyt Tamarya L. , Drake Gary , Gunderman Anthony , Chen Yue 
Published: August 2021

PurposeSignal voids caused by metallic needles pose visualization and monitoring challenges in many MRI applications. In this work, we explore a solution to this problem in the form of an active shim insert that fits inside a needle and corrects the field disturbance (ΔB0) caused by the needle outside of it.MethodsThe ΔB0 induced by a 4 mm outside‐diameter titanium needle at 3T is modeled and a two‐coil orthogonal shim set is designed and fabricated to shim the ΔB0. Signal recovery around the needle is assessed in multiple orientations in a water phantom with four different pulse sequences. Phase stability around the needle is assessed in an ex‐vivo porcine tissue dynamic gradient echo experiment with and without shimming. Additionally, heating of the shim insert is assessed under 8 min of continuous operation with 1A current and concurrent imaging.ResultsAn average recovery of ~63% of lost signal around the needle across orientations is shown with active shimming with a maximum current of 1.172 A. Signal recovery and correction of the underlying ΔB0 is shown to be independent of imaging sequence. Needle‐induced phase gradients outside the perceptible signal void are also minimized with active shimming. Temperature rise of up to 0.9° Celsius is noted over 8 min of continuous 1A active shimming operation.ConclusionA sequence independent method for minimization of metallic needle induced signal loss using an active shim insert is presented. The method has potential benefits in a range of qualitative and quantitative interventional MRI applications.
Accelerated k‐space shift calibration for free‐breathing stack‐of‐radial MRI quantification of liver fat and
Authors: Zhong Xiaodong , Armstrong Tess , Gao Chang , Nickel Marcel D. , Han Fei , Dale Brian M. , Li Xinzhou , Kafali Sevgi G. , Hu Peng , Wu Holden H. , Deshpande Vibhas 
Published: August 2021

PurposeTo develop an accelerated k‐space shift calibration method for free‐breathing 3D stack‐of‐radial MRI quantification of liver proton‐density fat fraction (PDFF) and .MethodsAccelerated k‐space shift calibration was developed to partially skip acquisition of k‐space shift data in the through‐plane direction then interpolate in processing, as well as to reduce the in‐plane averages. A multi‐echo stack‐of‐radial sequence with the baseline calibration was evaluated on a phantom versus vendor‐provided reference‐standard PDFF and values at 1.5T, and in 13 healthy subjects and 5 clinical subjects at 3T with respect to reference‐standard breath‐hold Cartesian acquisitions. PDFF and maps were calculated with different calibration acceleration factors offline and compared to reference‐standard values using Bland‐Altman analysis. Bias and uncertainty were evaluated using normal distribution and Bayesian probability of difference (P < .05 considered significant).ResultsBland‐Altman plots of phantom and in vivo data showed that substantial acceleration was highly feasible in both through‐plane and in‐plane directions. Compared to the baseline calibration without acceleration, Bayesian analysis revealed no significant differences on biases and uncertainties of PDFF and measurements with all acceleration methods in this study, except the method with through‐plane acceleration equaling slices and averages equaling 20 for PDFF and (both P < .001) for the phantom. A six‐fold reduction in equivalent calibration acquisition time (time saving ≥25 s and ≥80.7%) was achieved using recommended acceleration factors for the in vivo protocols in this study.ConclusionThis proposed method may allow accelerated calibration for free‐breathing stack‐of‐radial MRI PDFF and mapping.
Morphological and biochemical changes of lymphatic vessels in the soleus muscle of mice after hindlimb unloading
Authors: Kawashima Takafumi , Ji Rui‐Cheng , Itoh Yuta , Agata Nobuhide , Sasai Nobuaki , Murakami Taro , Sokabe Masahiro , Hamada Fumihiko , Kawakami Keisuke 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIntroduction/AimsLymphatic vessels are responsible for the removal of metabolic waste from body tissues. They also play a crucial role in skeletal muscle functioning thorough their high‐energy metabolism. In this study we investigated whether disuse muscle atrophy induced by hindlimb unloading is associated with an alteration in the number of lymphatic vessels and differential expression of lymphangiogenic factors in the soleus muscle.MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice were subjected to tail suspension (TS) for 2 or 4 weeks to induce soleus muscle atrophy. After TS, lymphatic and blood capillaries in the soleus muscle were visualized and counted by double staining with LYVE‐1 and CD31. The protein and mRNA levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐C, VEGF‐D, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐3 were measured by Western blotting and real‐time reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction, respectively.ResultsTS for 2 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in the number of blood capillaries compared with controls. However, there was no significant change in the number of lymphatic capillaries. By contrast, TS for 4 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in the number of lymphatic and blood capillaries. We observed a significant decrease in the mRNA levels of VEGF‐C and VEGF‐D in mice subjected to TS for 4 weeks.DiscussionThe decrease of intramuscular lymphatic vessels may a crucial role in the process of muscle atrophy.
Sensing using a fluorescent product generated from Cu2+ assisted L‐Ascorbic acid oxidation
Authors: Shen Qiming , Shu Tong , Wang Hui , Fang Changhao , Zhang Yingnan , Meldrum Alkiviathes , Serpe Michael J. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractL‐ascorbic acid (AA) is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in our day‐to‐day body function, and maintaining our health, for example, by serving as an antioxidant. AA oxidation generates various products, some of which have not been identified. In this investigation, we show that the room temperature reaction of AA with copper sulfate (CuSO4) generates a product that exhibits blue fluorescence. We studied how various reaction parameters impacted the fluorescence emission intensity, for example, varying the reactant concentration, reaction time, and pH. Mass spectrometry allowed the identification of probable products with the molecular formulae C10H6O7 and C10H8O8; the chemical structures for the possible products are also proposed. Finally, we showed that the fluorescent product can be used for detecting oxygen, Fe, and solution pH.
Interpretable biomanufacturing process risk and sensitivity analyses for quality‐by‐design and stability control
Authors: Xie Wei , Wang Bo , Li Cheng , Xie Dongming , Auclair Jared 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWhile biomanufacturing plays a significant role in supporting the economy and ensuring public health, it faces critical challenges, including complexity, high variability, lengthy lead time, and very limited process data, especially for personalized new cell and gene biotherapeutics. Driven by these challenges, we propose an interpretable semantic bioprocess probabilistic knowledge graph and develop a game theory based risk and sensitivity analyses for production process to facilitate quality‐by‐design and stability control. Specifically, by exploring the causal relationships and interactions of critical process parameters and product quality attributes, we create a Bayesian network based probabilistic knowledge graph characterizing the complex causal interdependencies of all factors. Then, we introduce a Shapley value based sensitivity analysis, which can correctly quantify the variation contribution from each input factor on the outputs (i.e., productivity, product quality). Since the bioprocess model coefficients are learned from limited process observations, we derive the Bayesian posterior distribution to quantify model uncertainty and further develop the Shapley value based sensitivity analysis to evaluate the impact of estimation uncertainty from each set of model coefficients. Therefore, the proposed bioprocess risk and sensitivity analyses can identify the bottlenecks, guide the reliable process specifications and the most informative data collection, and improve production stability.
A combinatorial auction‐based approach for ridesharing in a student transportation system
Authors: Triki Chefi , Mahdavi Amiri Maziar , Tavakkoli‐Moghaddam Reza , Mokhtarzadeh Mahdi , Ghezavati Vahidreza 
Published: August 2021

AbstractHere, a mixed‐integer linear programming model is developed to represent a transportation system of students traveling from/to a university campus. The concept of ridesharing is used and the mechanism of combinatorial auctions is incorporated within a routing‐based model. The mathematical model is based on the vehicle routing problem along with appropriate constraints accommodating features that express the auction clearing phase. A hybrid heuristic‐based optimization framework, that takes advantage of meta‐heuristic algorithms to improve an initial solution, is also developed to solve large‐sized instances of the problem. Three meta‐heuristics, namely particle swarm optimization, dragonfly algorithm, and imperialist competitive algorithm, are implemented in the proposed framework, whose performances are assessed and compared. Moreover, two improvement heuristic procedures that attempt to improve the outcomes of the foregoing meta‐heuristics are proposed and compared as well.
Weak imposition of Dirichlet boundary conditions for analyses using Powell–Sabin B‐splines
Authors: Chen Lin , Borst René de 
Published: August 2021

AbstractPowell–Sabin B‐splines are enjoying an increased use in the analysis of solids and fluids, including fracture propagation. However, the Powell–Sabin B‐spline interpolation does not hold the Kronecker delta property and, therefore, the imposition of Dirichlet boundary conditions is not as straightforward as for the standard finite elements. Herein, we discuss the applicability of various approaches developed to date for the weak imposition of Dirichlet boundary conditions in analyses which employ Powell–Sabin B‐splines. We take elasticity and fracture propagation using phase‐field modeling as a benchmark problem. We first succinctly recapitulate the phase‐field model for propagation of brittle fracture, which encapsulates linear elasticity, and its discretization using Powell–Sabin B‐splines. As baseline solution we impose Dirichlet boundary conditions in a strong sense, and use this to benchmark the Lagrange multiplier, penalty, and Nitsche's methods, as well as methods based on the Hellinger‐Reissner principle, and the linked Lagrange multiplier method and its modified version.
My Brother's Keeper? The Impact of Targeted Educational Supports
Authors: Dee Thomas S. , Penner Emily K. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe My Brother's Keeper (MBK) Challenge developed by President Obama supports communities that promote civic initiatives designed to improve the educational and economic opportunities specifically for young men of color. In Oakland, California, the MBK educational initiative features the African American Male Achievement (AAMA) program. The AAMA focuses on regularly scheduled classes exclusively for Black, male students and taught by Black, male teachers who focus on social‐emotional training, African‐American history, culturally relevant pedagogy, and academic supports. In this study, we present quasi‐experimental evidence on the dropout effects of the AAMA by leveraging its staggered scale‐up across high schools in the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). We find that AAMA availability led to a significant reduction in the number of Black males who dropped out as well as smaller reductions among Black females, particularly in ninth grade.
Parental adjustment following their child's completion of acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment
Authors: McCarthy Maria C. , Marks India R. , Mulraney Melissa , Downie Peter , Matson Alice , De Luca Cinzia R. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundFew studies haveexamined parent and family adaptation in the early period following the end of childhood cancer treatment. We examined parent adjustment at the end of their child's treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).MethodsParents of childhood cancer survivors (CCS), who were 3 months post‐ALL treatment, and parents of typically developing children completed measures of psychological and family functioning. Parents of CCS also completed distress and posttraumatic stress symptom (PTSS) questionnaires related to their child's cancer experience.ResultsOne hundred twenty‐nine parents were recruited: 77 parents of CCS and 52 comparison parents. Overall mean psychological symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, and family functioning were within normal limits for both groups. Parents of CCS endorsed higher scores for stress, depression, and family problems; however, mean scores for emotional distress were low for both groups, in particular the comparison group. Parents of CCS endorsed low rates of PTSS. Fifty‐one percent of parents of CCS scored above the distress thermometer (DT‐P) clinical cutoff (>4), with items elevated across all six DT‐P domains. However, most parents did not indicate a wish to speak to a health professional about their symptoms.ConclusionSpecialist psychosocial intervention may be indicated for only a subset of parents at the end of treatment. As per psychosocial standards of care, effective screening at this timepoint is warranted. Further examination of appropriate timing of psychosocial information and support services that are tailored to parents’ circumstances is needed. eHealth approaches may be appropriate.
3D printing of continuous carbon fiber reinforced thermoset composites using UV curable resin
Authors: Rahman Md Atikur , Islam Md Zahirul , Gibbon Luke , Ulven Chad A. , La Scala John J. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAdditive manufacturing is trending toward functional applications beyond the scope of rapid prototyping. This requires the development of high‐performance, lightweight, and complex structures resulting from additive manufacturing. One of the biggest challenges for fulfilling these requirements is the limitation of material properties. The introduction of reinforcement allows for the expansion of current polymer‐based 3D printing technologies to achieve increased material properties while maintaining complex geometries. Commercial 3D printers able to print thermoplastic composites have recently been demonstrated with good repeatability. However, limitations of these thermoplastic composites include low fiber volume fraction and susceptibility to high temperatures. In contrast, thermoset‐based composites offer greater thermal stability and higher mechanical performance due to the cross‐linked structure of the polymer. Moreover, using continuous reinforcement instead of short fiber reinforcement offers higher performance opportunities. Therefore, the challenge of 3D printing with continuous fiber‐reinforced thermoset composite is addressed in this study. A 3D printer capable of printing a UV curable resin system reinforced with continuous carbon fiber was constructed. Variations of printed composites' mechanical properties depending on the fiber tow characteristic were investigated. Two different carbon fiber types and their associated tow twist count and sizing were evaluated in this study. Burn‐off tests were used to determine the printed composites' final fiber volume fraction. Using a rule of mixtures approach, strength and modulus were predicted for each composite and compared against their experimental values. Predicted modulus values were found within 2%–5% of experimental, while strength values were significantly less than predicted.
Synthesis and characteristics of HAB‐6FDA thermally rearranged polyimide nanocomposite membranes
Authors: Patel Harsh D. , Acharya Naveen K. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe thermal rearrangement of polyimides of ortho‐positioned functional group membranes improves the gas permselectivity properties of the polyimide precursor. For this experiment, HAB‐6FDA polyimide was synthesized from 3,3 dihydroxy‐4,4‐diamino‐biphenyl (HAB) and 2,2‐bis‐(3,4‐dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA) by chemical imidization. A sample was modified from a pure polymer to silica nanoparticle composition. Furthermore, a modification was carried out by thermal rearrangement reaction at temperatures of 350, 400, and 450°C. The thermal property of these membrane films was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), FTIR, opacity experiment, and free volume analysis. Permeability decreases with an increase in the kinetic diameter of gasses, which is normal behavior for glassy polymers. The composition of silica nanoparticles slightly changes the permeability in the polyimide. The combined effect of silica nanoparticles and thermal rearrangement of the HAB‐6FDA membrane has shown an excellent performance. The thermal rearrangement with nanocomposite shows a significant impact on a larger effect on permeation for lighter gases, that is, H2, CO2, and O2, compared with N2 and CH4. Particularly for H2/CH4 gas pair, it lies over Robeson's 2008 upper bound limit, which fits the composition in the novel class for the gas separation membranes.
A mixed‐method analysis of the implementation process of universal screening in a tiered mental health system
Authors: Brann Kristy L. , Naser Shereen C. , Splett Joni W. , DiOrio Courtney A. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractSchools are encouraged to take a proactive approach to mental health through the use of a tiered system of supports facilitated by universal mental health screening. However, schools may experience difficulty implementing universal screening and large‐scale systems change. The purpose of this study was to explore multilevel implementation determinants, identify strategies that aided implementation, and examine how implementation determinants and strategies impacted implementation reach for two schools adopting and initially implementing universal screening within a tiered mental health system. We used a mixed‐methods case study design where qualitative analysis of focus groups identified themes related to implementation determinants and strategies, and quantitative data compared implementation reach before and after the initial implementation of universal screening. Focus groups identified themes of broader influence, structures, school climate, personnel, and resources that enabled and obstructed the implementation process. To aid the tiered system, schools used implementation strategies of outreach and systems, screening, and intervention planning. Integrative mixed‐methods analysis identified influences of these determinants and strategies on changes in implementation reach at Tier 1; however, only minimal changes occurred at Tiers 2 and 3. Results highlight the importance of attending to implementation factors when adopting and initially implementing a tiered mental health system.
The Resilience Education Program: Examining the efficacy of a Tier 2 internalizing intervention
Authors: Eklund Katie , Kilgus Stephen P. , Izumi Jared , DeMarchena Sarah L. , McCollom Elizabeth M. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThis study reports on the results of a pilot study designed to evaluate the Resilience Education Program (REP): a brief Tier 2 intervention that includes small‐group cognitive‐behavioral instruction, paired with a modified check‐in/check‐out procedure. Three elementary school students demonstrating early indicators of internalizing behavior concerns participated in the current intervention. A multiple‐baseline single‐case design was used to evaluate intervention effects. Outcome data corresponded to teacher‐collected direct behavior rating data, which were specific to each student's particular internalizing concerns (e.g., negative affect, withdrawal) and were collected on a daily basis during times when these behaviors were most problematic. Visual analysis and effect size estimates were used in evaluating intervention effects relative to baseline conditions for each student. Results indicated REP yielded a moderate intervention effect for two out of three students (Tau‐U = 0.72 and 0.68, respectively), each of whom exhibited an immediate reduction in internalizing behavior. Both students also demonstrated an absence of negative behaviors in the maintenance phase. Findings for the third student were obfuscated by low behavioral rates during baseline. Following the intervention, educators rated REP as a socially valid intervention. Limitations of this study and future directions for research and practice are discussed.
Single polypeptide detection using a translocon EXP2 nanopore
Authors: Miyagi Mitsuki , Takiguchi Sotaro , Hakamada Kazuaki , Yohda Masafumi , Kawano Ryuji 
Published: August 2021

AbstractDNA sequencing using nanopores has already been achieved and commercialized; the next step in advancing nanopore technology is towards protein sequencing. Although trials have been reported for discriminating the 20 amino acids using biological nanopores and short peptide carriers, it remains challenging. The size compatibility between nanopores and peptides is one of the issues to be addressed. Therefore, exploring biological nanopores that are suitable for peptide sensing is key in achieving amino acid sequence determination. Here, we focus on EXP2, the transmembrane protein of a translocon from malaria parasites, and describe its pore‐forming properties in the lipid bilayer. EXP2 mainly formed a nanopore with a diameter of 2.5 nm assembled from 7 monomers. Using the EXP2 nanopore allowed us to detect poly‐L‐lysine (PLL) at a single‐molecule level. Furthermore, the EXP2 nanopore has sufficient resolution to distinguish the difference in molecular weight between two individual PLL, long PLL (Mw: 30,000–70,000) and short PLL (Mw: 10,000). Our results contribute to the accumulation of information for peptide‐detectable nanopores.