bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimization of Barrier Properties of PLA/PBAT Polymers in Biodegradable Materials
Authors: Xinyu Wang , Qifeng Chen 
Published: October 2024

AbstractDespite its popularity as a bio‐based biodegradable material, polylactic acid (PLA) has a number of shortcomings. Nevertheless, the combination of poly(butylene adipate co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) and thermoplastic starch (TPS) to enhance the mechanical properties of PLA was achieved through the utilisation of PLA/PBAT/TPS ternary composites, which were created through the calendering method. These composites exhibit advantageous characteristics, including high ductility, enhanced toughness, and biodegradability. The results of the water vapour permeability test indicate that the proportion of the material composition exhibiting the lowest value of water vapour permeability is 2.0571 g/m²·24h. The results of the water vapour transmission test demonstrate that the material generated by the composition ratio has the lowest water vapour transmission, indicating that the composite material blending effect is superior. The majority of current research employs nanocellulose as a substrate in PLA, with a paucity of studies investigating its use in PLA/PBAT/TPS composites. These composites are modified due to the notable divergence of nanocellulose from the hydrophobicity of the composite and its susceptibility to decomposition at elevated temperatures. This study establishes a foundation for future research in this field.
Experimentally Verified Retrofit Combining Hybrid Solutions for Enhancing the Seismic Response of Multistory RC Structures
Authors: Joseph Roshen , Mwafy Aman , Alam M. Shahria 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTThis experimental and numerical study proposes hybrid retrofit alternatives involving multiple contemporary techniques to upgrade the fundamental seismic response characteristics of multistory reinforced concrete frame (MSRCF) structures. The impact of thin high‐performance reinforced concrete (HPRC) jackets on the concrete framing system's seismic response is first investigated through shake table testing (STT). The performance of the HPRC‐retrofitted frame is then compared with another STT campaign conducted for fabric‐reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM)–retrofitted frame. The STT results indicated that at the same input ground motion intensity that caused failure for the FRCM‐retrofitted frame, the curvature ductility and interstory drift ratio of the HPRC‐retrofitted specimen were reduced by 79% and 87%, respectively. Upon verifying the fiber‐based modeling technique of HPRC and FRCM alternatives through STT, the study probabilistically assesses the seismic performance of a benchmark MSRCF building considering different hybrid retrofit alternatives by combining each technique with a self‐centering energy dissipation (SCED) bracing system. Following a systematic seismic assessment framework, it is concluded that the performance‐cost index of the less disruptive HPRC‐SCED option exceeded that of the FRCM‐SCED by 36%, confirming its preference among the considered alternatives for upgrading the seismic response of MSRCF deficient in stiffness, strength, and ductility.
Exploration of Some Nutrient Absorption–Related Genes and Intestinal Histology in Japanese Quails (Coturnix japonica) Throughout Their Productive Lifespan
Authors: Rafieian‐Naeini Hamid Reza , Zhandi Mahdi , Taghipour‐Shahbandi Maryam , Sabzian Amir Reza , Yousefi Ali Reza , Khajehnabi Mahboubeh , Kim Woo Kyun 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundQuail is an efficient poultry species known for many years, and its productivity is highly affected by gastrointestinal function, health, digestion and commensal bacteria. Specific histological parameters and nutrient absorption–related genes could be used to study intestinal functionality and efficiency.ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the mRNA abundance of nutrient absorption–related genes and intestinal histology changes in laying Japanese quail during productive lifespan.MethodsA total of 135 quails from a commercial flock at different egg production periods (early production [EP, 6 weeks of age], pick production [PP, 21 weeks of age] and post pick production [PPP, 40 weeks of age]) were randomly selected (n = 45/group) and kept for 6 weeks. Production performance was evaluated during last 2 weeks of the experimental period, and tissue samples were taken from the duodenum, jejunum and ileum for histological analysis and mRNA abundance purposes at the end of the experiment. The mRNA abundance of the CALB1, SGLT1, SGLT5, EAAT3 and NaPi‐IIb genes were compared among groups.ResultsProduction period did not affect the eggshell thickness, goblet cell number and mRNA abundance of CALB1, EAAT3 and NaPi‐IIb (p > 0.05). The PPP quails had the highest egg weight and FCR compared to EP and PP quails (p < 0.001). Egg production and egg mass of the EP and PP quails were higher than those of PPP quails (p < 0.001). Moreover, EP quails had the highest villus height (VH)/crypt depth (CD) ratio in the duodenum and jejunum and the lowest VH:CD in the ileum compared with the PPP quails (p < 0.01). The lowest SGLT1 mRNA abundance was noted in the PP quails, whereas EP quails had the highest SGLT5 mRNA abundance (p < 0.05).ConclusionsIn conclusion, although histology parameter changes were in‐line with the lowest performance observed in the PPP quails, the current results failed to show a relationship between mRNA abundance changes and production performance attributes at different productive lifespans.
CloudCatcher: citizen science can be used to help to crowd source a satellite cloud validation dataset
Authors: Cox Caroline , Polehampton Edward , Hall Vicky 
Published: October 2024

AbstractAccurately identifying clouds in satellite images is an important stage in processing such images for scientific use. Cloudy image pixels are labelled using a pixel mask, to allow them to be filtered out and ignored. The accuracy at which ‘cloud masking’ can be performed needs to be determined and this is often done by expert manual classification. Given the public enthusiasm for weather, we tested whether this classification could be performed reliably by ‘citizen scientists’. We found that the public could identify cloud with a 94% accuracy over ocean. Our analysis pointed to future improvements of the CloudCatcher project.
The state of global surgery assessment and data collection tools: A scoping review
Authors: Gianaris Kevin , Stephanian Brooke , Karki Sabin , Gupta Shailvi , Ratnayake Amila , Kushner Adam L. , Groen Reinou S. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundThere has been a proliferation of global surgery assessment tools designed for use in low‐ and middle‐income countries. This scoping review sought to categorize and organize the breadth of global surgery assessment tools in the literature.MethodsThe search was conducted using PubMed from October 2022 to April 2023 according to PRISMA extension for scoping review guidelines. The search terms were ((“global surgery”[All Fields]) AND (“assessment”[All Fields]) OR (data collection)). Only tools published in English that detailed surgical assessment tools designed for low‐ and middle‐income countries were included.ResultsThe search resulted in 963 papers and 46 texts described unique tools that were included for the final review. Of these, 30 (65%) tools were quantitative, 1 (2%) qualitative, and 15 (33%) employed mixed‐methods. 25 (54%) tools evaluated surgery in general, whereas 21 (46%) were focused on various surgical subspecialties. Qualitatively, major themes among the tools were noted. There was significant overlap of many tools.ConclusionsNonspecialty surgery was represented more than any specialty surgery and many specialties had little or no representation in the literature. Ideally, local leadership should be involved in surgical assessment tools. Different methodologies, such as checklists and observational studies, aimed to target varying aspects of surgery and had distinct strengths and weaknesses. Further efforts should focus on expanding tools in neglected specialties.
Forschungsgegenstand
Authors: Staub Sabina 
Published: October 2024

ZusammenfassungIn diesem Kapitel erfolgt eine theoretische Beschreibung des Forschungsgegenstandes, nämlich von unterrichtlichen Interaktionen zwischen Lehrpersonen und Kindern während der Auffangzeit im Kindergarten. Der Schwerpunkt der Untersuchung liegt auf der Rekonstruktion von Anerkennungsverhältnissen, die in sozialen Praktiken zum Ausdruck kommen. Der Unterricht wird hierzu aus praxis- und anerkennungstheoretischer Perspektive betrachtet. Um sich dem Forschungsgegenstand anzunähern, werden drei Aspekte theoretisch beschrieben: der Kindergarten in der Deutschschweiz, die Auffangzeit als eine spezifische Phase im Kindergarten und unterrichtliche Interaktionen verstanden als Anerkennungsverhältnisse.
Theoretische Grundlagen
Authors: Staub Sabina 
Published: October 2024

ZusammenfassungIn diesem Kapitel erfolgt die Darlegung der theoretischen Grundlage der Untersuchung, die auf zwei zentralen Theorien basiert: Die Anerkennungstheorie von Judith Butler und die Theorie sozialer Praktiken von Andreas Reckwitz. Zunächst wird der Begriff der „Anerkennung" erörtert. Zur Annäherung an den Anerkennungsbegriff Butlers werden zunächst verschiedene Bedeutungsfacetten basierend auf Überlegungen von Honneth, Benjamin, Düttmann und Hegel, einer kritischen Betrachtung unterzogen. Es wird geprüft, inwiefern sich daraus Anschlüsse für die theoretischen Überlegungen von Butler ableiten lassen. Im Anschluss erfolgt eine Erläuterung der Theorie sozialer Praktiken nach Reckwitz. Abschließend werden die wesentlichen Punkte beiden Theorien zusammengefasst und deren Nutzen für die Untersuchung aufgezeigt.
Methodische und methodologische Grundlagen
Authors: Staub Sabina 
Published: October 2024

ZusammenfassungIn diesem Kapitel erfolgt eine Darlegung der theoretischen Grundlagen der dokumentarischen Methode, insofern sie für die Untersuchung relevant sind und als Fundament für das methodische Vorgehen dienen. Es werden methodologische und methodische Grundlagen, Interaktionsbewegungen und -modi sowie die komparative Analyse als zentrale Forschungslogik beschrieben. Zudem wird auf Herausforderungen eingegangen, die aus dem Forschungsgegenstand resultieren, und davon ausgehend die Passung mit dem gewählten methodischen Vorgehen dargelegt.
Classifying Abelian Groups Through Acyclic Matchings
Authors: Aliabadi Mohsen , Taylor Peter 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe inquiry into identifying sets of monomials that can be eliminated from a generic homogeneous polynomial via a linear change of coordinates was initiated by E. K. Wakeford. This linear algebra problem prompted C. K. Fan and J. Losonczy to introduce the notion of acyclic matchings in the additive group $$\mathbb {Z}^n$$

Z

n

, subsequently extended to abelian groups by the latter author. Alon, Fan, Kleitman, and Losonczy established the acyclic matching property for $$\mathbb {Z}^n$$

Z

n

. This note aims to classify all abelian groups with respect to the acyclic matching property.
Holmium-166 radioembolisation dosimetry in HCC
Authors: Reinders Margot T. M. , Braat Arthur J. A. T. , van Erpecum Karel J. , de Bruijne Joep , Bruijnen Rutger C. G. , Sprengers Dave , de Man Rob , Vegt Erik , IJzermans Jan N. M. , Elias Sjoerd G. , Lam Marnix G. E. H. , Smits Maarten L. J. 
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Purpose
To evaluate dosimetry, dose–response and dose-toxicity relationships for holmium-166 (166Ho) radioembolisation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods
Thirty-one patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were included in the HEPAR Primary study (NCT03379844, registered on December 20th, 2017) and underwent 166Ho-microspheres radioembolisation. Linear mixed models assessed the association between tumour absorbed doses and response based on mRECIST both on tumour and patient level. Preliminary tumour absorbed dose thresholds were estimated based on predictive value. Linear regression models assessed the association between non-tumour absorbed dose and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.03.

Results
Median tumour absorbed dose (tumour level) was 95.5 Gy (range 44—332 Gy). Median non-tumour absorbed dose based on whole liver volume was 19 Gy (range 3 – 48 Gy) and based on target liver volume was 30 Gy (range 13 – 54 Gy). There was a significant association between non-tumour absorbed dose and toxicity. Tumours with partial response/complete response (PR/CR, responders) received a 41% higher absorbed dose than tumours with progressive disease/stable disease (PD/SD, non-responders) (95%CI: 2%-93%, p = 0.04). A predictive value of 90% for tumour response was observed at a tumour absorbed dose threshold of 155 Gy, 100% predictive value was achieved at 184.5 Gy.

Conclusion
This study confirms a positive relationship between tumour absorbed dose and response and between non-tumour absorbed dose and toxicity. Dose thresholds found in this study can serve as a basis for personalized dosimetry in HCC patients treated with 166Ho-microspheres.
Omission of intraoperative drain placement during robotic partial nephrectomy and robotic radical prostatectomy is safe: an analysis of 18,000 patients
Authors: Pfail John , Drobner Jake , Kaldany Alain , Chua Kevin , Lichtbroun Benjamin , Passarelli Rachel , Patel Hiren , Srivastava Arnav , Golombos David , Jang Thomas L. , Packiam Vignesh T. , Ghodoussipour Saum 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Placement of a drain during robotic assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) and robotic assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) is standard practice for many urologists and can aid in assessment and management of complications such as urine leak, lymphocele, or bleeding. However, drain placement can cause discomfort and delay patient discharge, with questionable benefit. We aim to assess the correlation between drain placement with post operative complications.

Methods
The NSQIP targeted database was queried for patients who underwent RAPN or RARP from 2019 to 2021. Our primary outcomes included 30-day complication rates stratified by intraoperative drain placement. Secondary outcomes included procedure-specific complications, length of stay (LOS), and readmissions. Multivariable regression analyses, with Bonferroni correction, were performed for each post-operative complication.

Results
We identified 4738 and 13,948 patients who underwent RAPN and RARP, respectively. Drains were not placed in 2258 (47.7%) and 6700 (48%) patients, respectively. On adjusted multivariable analysis in the RAPN cohort, omission of drain placement was associated with decreased LOS (β -0.45; 99.58% CI [-0.59, -0.32]) but no difference in overall complication rates. After adjusted analysis in the RARP cohort, omission of drain placement was associated with decreased risk of any complication (OR 0.73 [0.62–0.87]), infectious complication (OR 0.66 [0.49–0.89]), and LOS (β -0.30 [-0.37, -0.24]).

Conclusions
Using a large contemporary database, this study demonstrates that omission of drains during RAPN and RARP was safe without increased risk of postoperative complications. Despite inherent selection bias in this cohort, our data suggests that routine drain placement is not necessary for these procedures.
Radiation adaptive response for constant dose-rate irradiation in high background radiation areas
Authors: Bugała Ernest , Fornalski Krzysztof Wojciech 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe presented paper describes the problem of human health in regions with high level of natural ionizing radiation in various places in the world. The radiation adaptive response biophysical model was presented and calibrated for the special case of constant dose-rate irradiation. The calibration was performed for the data of residents of several high background radiation areas, like Ramsar in Iran, Kerala in India or Yangjiang in China. Studied end-points were: chromosomal aberrations, cancer incidence and cancer mortality. For the case of aberrations, among collected publications about 45% have shown the existence of adaptive response. Average reduction of chromosomal aberrations was ∼ 10%, while for the case of cancer incidence it was ∼ 15% and ∼ 17% for cancer mortality (each taking into account only results showing adaptive response). Results of the other 55% of data regarding chromosomal aberrations have been tested with the LNT (linear no-threshold) hypothesis, but results were inconsistent with the linear model. The conditions for adaptive response occurrence are still unknown, but it is postulated to correlate with the distribution of individual radiosensitivity among members of surveyed populations.
Chromosomal mapping of 5S rDNA in two species of the genus Acanthocephalus (Echinorhynchida)
Authors: Orosová Martina , Marková Anna 
Published: October 2024

AbstractChromosomal mapping of 5S rDNA in two Acanthocephala species was performed for the first time using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a 5S rDNA probe. The 5S rDNA PCR products from the genomes of both species were sequenced and aligned and an identical 141 bp long coding region was determined. The same patterns of 5S rDNA gene cluster distribution were observed, with FISH signal restricted to a single autosomal chromosome pair. A preference for distal positioning on the chromosomes (subtelomeric position) was observed in both species. In addition, two-color FISH was performed to examine the mutual positions of 5S and 18S rDNA on the chromosomes. Our knowledge of the organization of the Acanthocephala genome is extremely limited and its chromosomes are poorly studied. Any new information about the location of chromosomal markers as important features of the respective karyotype may be useful in solving evolutionary questions.
Tuning the properties of peptide imprinted nanoparticles for protein immunoprecipitation using magnetic streptavidin beads
Authors: Elejaga-Jimeno Ainhoa , Gómez-Caballero Alberto , García del Caño Gontzal , Unceta Nora , Saumell-Esnaola Miquel , Sallés Joan , Goicolea M. Aránzazu , Barrio Ramón J. 
Published: October 2024

Abstract Maximizing the binding properties of thermoresponsive molecularly imprinted nanoparticles (MIN) was aimed to explore their feasibility as antibody substitutes in protein immunoprecipitation (IPP) with magnetic streptavidin beads (MSB). Thermoresponsive MIN targeting the cannabinoid CB1 receptor were produced by epitope imprinting through solid-phase synthesis. It was intended to determine how different variables influenced physicochemical features, binding behaviour and immunoprecipitation of the target recombinant glutathione S-transferase tagged fusion protein (GST-CTer). Such variables included the cross-linking degree of MIN, and variables like pH, temperature or the use of Tween-20 for binding and IPP experiments. The cross-linker (CL) amount influenced the coil-to-globule transition of thermoresponsive MIN, making the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) decrease from 37.2 °C using 5% of CL, to 29.0 °C using 25%, also suggesting higher plasticity on the former. Temperature influence on size was corroborated by dynamic light scattering, observing size reductions from 250–450 nm (RT) to 70–100 nm (> LCST) for MIN produced with 5–15% of CL. However, binding behaviour did not clearly improve for more than 10% CL. Further experiments revealed that temperature and pH control were critical for efficient binding and release, selecting 40 °C and pH 5 as appropriate. Following binding experiments, the GST-CTer-MIN complex was successfully immunoprecipitated using MSB, achieving an IPP efficiency of 11.48% over the initial input protein concentration, which was calculated after SDS-PAGE separation and Western blot analysis. The methodology may be exploited for selective protein extraction and quantification from complex tissue homogenates.
Graphical Abstract
Longitudinal latent overall toxicity (LOTox) profiles in osteosarcoma: a new taxonomy based on latent Markov models
Authors: Spreafico Marta , Ieva Francesca , Fiocco Marta 
Published: October 2024

AbstractDue to the presence of multiple types of adverse events (AEs) with different levels of severity, the analysis of longitudinal toxicity data is a difficult task in cancer research. The current literature primarily relies on descriptive-based methods and lacks models that can effectively quantify the overall toxic burden experienced by patients over treatment without losing details of the impact of each AE. In this work, a novel taxonomy based on latent Markov models and compositional data techniques is proposed to model the Latent Overall Toxicity (LOTox) condition of each patient over cycles of treatment. Starting from observed categories of severity of multiple toxicities, the goal is to delineate distinct LOTox conditions and retrieve patients’ probabilities of being in a specific condition at a given cycle, as well as their risk of experiencing “worse" overall toxicity statuses compared to a reference “good" toxic condition. The proposed approach is applied to longitudinal toxicity data from the MRC BO06/EORTC 80931 randomized controlled trial for patients with osteosarcoma. The population of interest includes 377 patients who had successfully completed the six-cycle treatment. Personal characteristics and observed information on six toxicities are used to infer the unobserved LOTox status over the six cycles of chemotherapy. Provided that longitudinal toxicity data are available, the developed procedure is a flexible approach that can be adapted and applied to other cancer studies.
Students' meaning-making in an open inquiry: two paths
Authors: Björnhammer Sebastian , Lundegård Iann , Gyllenpalm Jakob 
Published: October 2024

AbstractIn science education, students need to work with laboratory elements that create conditions for them to learn to do science and experience the value of making meaning in this process. However, students rarely get to carry out investigations that resemble actual scientific practices. More often, they are encouraged to follow an already given knowledge structure, rather than allowed to shape it by themselves. In this study, we investigate how students' meaning-making processes develop when they work with an open inquiry with three degrees of freedom aimed at really doing science. Meaning-making in doing science involves both the typical science-content dimension and a sometimes more overlooked aesthetic dimension. Thus, to gain insight into the students' meaning-making in this, we rendered a thick description of the students' experience, including an analysis of the aesthetic dimension. We compared the processes of two student groups in year 9 and how, within their groups, they collectively made meaning of an open inquiry. The results showed how the processes took quite different turns, moving through peaks and troughs in each group. The first group began with resignation and ended up with a strong commitment towards the openness of the task. For the other group, the journey was quite the opposite. They began engaged, with a lot of ideas about a phenomenon that turned out to be impossible to create. This study shows that in this open process, the materials available and the teacher’s guidance are crucial for supporting the students’ meaning-making. This study therefore becomes an important contribution to a discussion about what is needed to help students make meaning in doing.