bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Palynological Study of Some Astragalus L. Sections Distributed in Türkiye
Authors: Bilgi Halime , Çeter Talip , Bani Barış , Karabicak Serhat , Biyiklioğlu Oktay , Özkutlu İbrahim , Elfogohi Laila 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTIn this study, the morphological properties of pollen of 14 species from 9 different sections of the genus Astragalus L. (Fabaceae) distributed in Türkiye were examined, identified, and compared under light microscope (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Pollen grains of the studied taxa are radially symmetrical and isopolar. Pollen shapes were determined as prolate, subprolate, spheroidal, and prolate‐spheroidal. The polar axis lengths of the pollen grains were determined to be between 24.5 and 34.4 μm, and the equatorial axis lengths were determined to be between 22.4 and 27.5 μm. The aperture type of pollen grains is mainly trizonacolporate, rarely trisyncolporate. Colpus are thin and long with acute ends. The shapes of the pores were determined as oblate, suboblate, or oblate‐spheroidal. Colpus lengths were found to be between 18.2 and 28.8 μm, and widths were found to be between 2.7 and 7.1 μm. In the studied species, four types of ornamentation were determined according to the differences in the polar region and equatorial region. Type 1: perforate in polar and equatorial regions; Type 2: perforate in polar region, microreticulate in equatorial region; Type 3: microreticulate in polar and equatorial regions; Type 4: psilate‐perforate in polar region, microreticulate in equatorial region. Principal component analysis (PCA) and unweighted pair group method using arithmetic average (UPGMA) analyses showed that morphological characters of pollen grains were effective in distinguishing species but could not contribute significantly to a distinction according to sections. Pollen size, colpus characteristics, and ornamentation were determined to be important characteristics that distinguish the studied taxa. This study contributes to Astragalus taxonomy and different sub‐branches of palynology.
Prevalence of Liver Steatosis Among Workers in Ouagadougou and Associated Factors: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Napon‐Zongo Delphine , Diendere Jeoffray , Sanou Armel M. , Coulibaly Abou , Dera Abdoulaye , Ouattara Nina G. M. , Zeba Augustin N. , Kouanda Seni 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTAimsLiver steatosis prevalence is growing, linked to the current worldwide epidemics of obesity and Type 2 diabetes. In sub‐Saharan Africa, data on apparent healthy workers must still be included. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hepatic steatosis and its associated factors in the workplace.Methods and ResultsA cross‐sectional study was conducted from July to October 2022 in seven selected public and private works places in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Workers still in activity were enrolled by random sampling. Sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics and blood pressure measurements were performed using standard procedures. Blood samples for fasting blood glucose, cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL), triglycerides, transaminases (AST, ALT), gamma‐glutamyl‐transferase, C reactive protein, uric acid, surface antigen of hepatitis B (HBsAg), antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti‐HCV), and HIV antibodies have been realized. Liver steatosis was assessed by FIBROSCAN with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP). An adjusted logistic regression analysis was performed. A significance level of 5% was applied. A total of 500 workers were included in this study. Among them, 293 (58.6%) were men. The prevalence of hepatic steatosis was 18% (95% CI: 14.7–21.7). Factors associated with hepatic steatosis were age over 50 (p = 0.038), waist circumference (p = 0.0001), body mass index (p = 0.008), and cytolysis (p = 0.001).ConclusionLiver steatosis affects almost a fifth of working people. Health policies must step up the fight against obesity and other nutrition‐related noncommunicable diseases.
Application of Advanced High‐Resolution Mass Spectrometric Techniques for the Analysis of Losartan Potassium Drug Substance Degradation Products: From Nontargeted to Targeted Screening
Authors: Xia Jiaxuan , Jin Yibao , Hong Yanjun , Huang Xiaolong , Pan Jing , Sun Kunhui , Li Meifang , Xie Zhiyong , Wang Bing 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTAdvances in techniques for quality analysis allow for a more detailed examination of drug impurities. High‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) contributes to detecting both known and unknown impurities. In this study, a combination of a nontargeted and targeted screening approach was established and applied to the detailed degradation profile of the losartan potassium (LP) drug substance. Through general unknown comparative screening (GUCS), 35 degradation products (DPs) were detected; of these, 10 DPs were confirmed with reference substances. DP‐1, DP‐2, DP‐3, and DP‐6 were the first characterized, as per previous studies; the other twenty‐four were newly identified. In addition, a liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the determination of the ten DPs. It was sensitive, with the limit of quantitation of analytes ranging from 0.01 to 0.5 ng mL−1. Two newly characterized DPs, DP‐1 and DP‐2, were determined in active pharmaceutical ingredient solutions. This study introduced a new approach using broad screening to analyze degradation impurity profiles in LP drug substance, aiding in the identification of low‐level impurities or those without reference substances. Additionally, the sensitive determination method developed allows for the precise quantification and control of ten DPs at trace levels in LP drug substances or products.
Nanostructured Gold Interlayer‐Enhanced Self‐Powered Photodetectors for Visible and Long‐Wave Infrared Dual‐Band Applications
Authors: Zhang Boyong , Wang Wencan , Sun Tianhao , Wang Jianyuan 
Published: December 2024

AbstractSelf‐powered dual‐functional detectors comprising a p‐Si/nanostructured Au/CdS sandwiched structure, which respond to the visible and long‐wave infrared dual‐band, are developed for visible light communication and passive human recognition without Fresnel lenses. Various configurations of nanostructured Au interlayers are fabricated via solid‐state dewetting, significantly enhancing the optoelectronic and pyroelectric properties of the original p‐Si/CdS system. The p‐Si/Au nanoparticles/CdS detector achieves a responsivity of 0.47 A/W, a response time of 830 ns, a −3 dB bandwidth of 0.33 MHz, and human recognition distance of up to 2 m. The improvement in optoelectronic properties is attributed to enhanced light absorption resulting from multiple internal reflections and localized surface plasmon resonance, as well as an enhanced built‐in electric field within the Au/CdS Schottky junction. The improvement in pyroelectric properties is related to enhanced polarization of CdS resulting from the interface polar symmetry, which not only improves the visible photoresponse at high pulsed light frequencies but also enables effective detection of human radiation. Additionally, the effects of body parts, vertical distance, and moving velocity on pyroelectric human recognition are systematically investigated. This work expands the diversity of multifunctional photodetectors with great potential for visible and long‐wave infrared dual‐band applications.
Computational Imaging Encryption with Steganography and Lanthanide Luminescent Materials
Authors: Lu Mengyang , Xie Yao , Li Jiwei , Gu Wenting , Sun Lining , Liu Xin 
Published: December 2024

AbstractOptical encryption is a potential scheme for information security that exploits abundant degrees of freedom of light to encode information. However, conventional encryption based on fluorescent materials faces challenges in handling complex secret information. Alternatively, single‐pixel imaging (SPI) provides a computational modality to solve these problems. In this study, a high‐capacity fluorescence encryption scheme, achieved by introducing lanthanide materials and steganography into the encoding and decoding processes of SPI is proposed. Two types of well‐designed lanthanide luminescent materials are utilized and excited to generate fluorescence images (fluo‐images), which are crucial in this scheme. Various practical experiments using fluo‐images as secret keys demonstrate the robustness, effectiveness, and repeatability of this scheme. Furthermore, multi‐image experiments indicate the potential of this method to increase secret information capacity. Thus, the proposed fluorescence encryption scheme does provide an efficient computational encryption strategy based on lanthanide luminescent materials for information security, which can improve the security of traditional optical encryption and simultaneously enhance the flexibility of SPI computational decryption.
Flame Retardancy via in‐Mould Coating and Durability of Flame Retardants After Mechanical Recycling in all‐polyamide Composites Prepared by In Situ Polymerisation
Authors: Kovács Zsófia , Toldy Andrea 
Published: December 2024

AbstractSustainable development requires that the structural materials can be easily recycled. The advantage of all‐polyamide composites (APCs) is that the matrix and the reinforcing material come from the same material family and can be easily mechanically recycled. In the research, polyamide 6.6 (PA6.6) reinforced polyamide 6 (PA6) composites by anionic ring‐opening polymerisation are prepared and created a flame retardant coating on their surface by in‐mould coating. The thermal stability of the created flame retarded APCs is investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the flammability is tested by UL‐94 test, limiting oxygen index (LOI) and mass loss type cone calorimetry (MLC). The coatings reduced the peak heat release rate (pHRR) by up to 49% and increased the residual mass after combustion. The flame retarded APCs are mechanically recycled with the addition of 50 mass% primary material, and their thermal properties and flammability are investigated. The most effective formulations fully preserved their ability to reduce pHRR, demonstrating the durability of flame retardant properties through multiple life cycles. In the case of the sample containing 3% phosphorus from hexaphenoxycyclotriphosphazene (HPCTP) and 4% expandable graphite (EG), the pHRR after recycling is reduced by 35% compared to primary APC without flame retardants.
Coping With Experiences of Sociomoral Violations Through Consumption of Anger‐Eliciting Content
Authors: Munichor Nira , Steinhart Yael 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTWe are inundated with daily occurrences of discrimination and racism. Such events violate consumers' core moral values and can lead them to experience negative emotions and feelings of vulnerability. Surprisingly, instead of avoiding content that triggers additional negative feelings, many also actively seek out anger‐eliciting content. Drawing on the idea that anger can fulfill a positive psychic role, we suggest that consuming anger‐eliciting content can serve as a means of coping with sociomoral violations. In six experiments, we show that such violations enhance people's tendency to consume content they expect will make them angry. This effect occurs because anger serves to protect positive self‐perceptions following sociomoral violations; indeed, the effect is mediated by the desire to feel more valuable and attenuated when self‐perceptions are enhanced by alternative means. Our findings shed new light on how individuals might use consumption as a strategy to cope with sociomoral violations.
Performance Analysis of Radio Frequency/Underwater Wireless Optical Communication System With Fog Conditions Based on NOMA
Authors: Pei Qian , Zhang Yanjun , Lian Wei , Liu Weiyan , Wang Shize 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the performance of cooperative radio frequency/underwater wireless optical communication (RF/UWOC) systems based on a downlink non‐orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), where amplify‐and‐forward (AF) protocols are considered. We assume that there is no direct connection between the transmitter and the receiver. The unified PDF for RF/UWOC systems was derived using atmospheric and underwater turbulence with non‐zero average unilateral pointing error under foggy conditions. Based on the analysis results, the expression of outage probability (OP) is obtained. Simulation results show that NOMA can provide fairness, then the increase of the number of channels and the change in turbulence parameters will affect all aspects of system performance.
Design of a Novel 16‐Way Short Pulse Power Divider Based on Transmission Line Transformer
Authors: Shi Yiping , Wang Guangming , Zhang Xingjia , Yi Chaolong , Shi Lei , Zhu Yufeng , Lu Yanlei , Wang Xiangyu , Lei Zhaofei 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThis article presents a 16‐way short pulse power divider (PD) with the same input and output impedance based on the transmission line transformer (TLT) principle. Different from the traditional multi‐channel PD composed of impedance tapered transmission lines and PDs in parallel structure, the novel 16‐way PD is cascaded by multi‐stages of series‐parallel structure, which avoids the process of impedance transformer and improves the compactness of the device, as well as the transmission efficiency. It was composed of four stages of the novel series‐parallel constructure converted from coaxial waveguide to microstrip line. And to control the energy dissipation, a unified ground of the output ports was built, and the short‐ended metal shell was loaded between every stage. This 16‐way PD was fabricated and measured. The measured return loss of the PD is less than −16 dB from 440 MHz to 6 GHz, and less than −10 dB from 270 MHz to 6 GHz. The measured peak gain is more than 0.83 when input by a Gaussian pulse with tFWHM = 250 ps (FWHM: full‐width half maximum).
Interleaved flow‐sensitive dephasing (iFSD): Toward enhanced blood flow suppression and preserved T1 weighting and overall signals in 3D TSE‐based neuroimaging
Authors: Kong Qingle , Xiao Jiayu , Shiroishi Mark S. , Sheikh‐Bahaei Nasim , Cen Steven Y. , Khatibi Kasra , Mack William J. , Ye Jason C. , Kim Paul E. , Bi Xiaoming , Saloner David , Yang Qi , Chang Eric , Fan Zhaoyang 
Published: December 2024

AbstractPurposeTo develop and validate a 3D turbo spin‐echo (TSE)–compatible approach to enhancing black‐blood (BB) effects while preserving T1 weighting and overall SNR.MethodsFollowing the excitation RF pulse, a 180° RF pulse sandwiched by a pair of flow‐sensitive dephasing (FSD) gradient pulses in the phase‐ (y) and partition‐encoding (z) directions, respectively, is added. The polarity of FSD gradients in z direction is toggled every TR, achieving an interleaved FSD (iFSD) configuration in y–z plane. The technique was optimized and evaluated in 18 healthy volunteers and 32 patients with neurovascular disease or brain metastases. Comparisons were made among TSE with and without one of BB preparations: iFSD, delay alternating with nutation for tailored excitation, and motion‐sensitized driven equilibrium.ResultsiFSD–TSE achieved the best blood flow suppression indicated by venous sinus SNR and parenchyma‐to‐sinus contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR). iFSD–TSE yielded slightly lower white matter SNR (106.6 ± 32.9) and white‐to‐gray matter CNR (27.3 ± 8.1) compared to TSE (111.4 ± 31.5 and 28.6 ± 8.8), which were significantly higher than those of delay alternating with nutation for tailored excitation–prepared TSE (84.3 ± 25.0 and 16.8 ± 4.8) and motion‐sensitized driven equilibrium–prepared TSE (77.3 ± 26.6 and 15.9 ± 5.3). At the neurovascular wall lesions, iFSD–TSE yielded the highest wall‐to‐lumen CNR among the three sequences with a BB preparation, all of which significantly outperformed TSE. iFSD–TSE effectively suppressed slow‐flow artifacts that otherwise mimicked an atherosclerotic lesion or strongly contrast‐enhancing vessel wall. In diagnosing brain metastases, iFSD allowed for highest inter‐reader agreement (κ 0.75) and shortest reading time.ConclusioniFSD is a promising approach compatible with 3D TSE for robust blood flow suppression and preserved T1 weighting and overall SNR.
Single‐Frequency Birdcage Coils for Deep Tissue Perfluorocarbon Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Mice
Authors: McRae Sean W. , Martinez Francisco M. , Foster Paula J. , Ronald John A. , Scholl Timothy J. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTFluorine‐19 (19F) MRI has become an established tool for in vivo cell tracking following ex vivo or in vivo labelling of various cell types with 19F perfluorocarbons (PFCs). Here, we developed and evaluated novel mouse‐specific radiofrequency (RF) hardware for improved dual 1H anatomical imaging and deep tissue 19F MR detection of PFCs. Three linearly polarized birdcage RF coils were constructed—a dual‐frequency 1H/19F coil, and a pair of single‐frequency 1H and 19F coils, designed to be used sequentially. RF coil quality factors (Q values), signal homogeneity and sensitivity were benchmarked against a commercially constructed dual‐frequency 1H/19F surface coil. RF homogeneity was assessed using a phantom designed to mimic PFC localization at depth in a mouse. The single‐frequency birdcage coils (1H and 19F) displayed more uniform coverage and enhanced signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs) compared to both the birdcage and surface dual‐frequency coils for 19F detection. Bilateral injection of a perfluoropolyether nanoemulsion into the footpads of female athymic nude mice, resulting in drainage to various lymph nodes and subsequent accumulation in lymph node macrophages, provided a platform to assess differences in SNRs and contrast‐to‐noise ratios (CNR) between both coil configurations as a function of depth and location. The single‐frequency 1H coil provided significantly increased CNR in anatomical images (p < 0.001) with increased anatomical coverage compared to the dual‐frequency surface coil. The single‐frequency 19F birdcage coil offered increased PFC detectability with significantly higher SNR in renal, lumbar, sciatic and popliteal lymph nodes (p < 0.01) compared to the dual‐frequency surface coil. Interestingly, the percentage difference between SNR measurements in lymph nodes between the single‐frequency 19F coil and the 1H/19F surface coil had a linear relationship with increasing distance from the surface coil (R2 = 0.6352; p < 0.0001), indicating a potential disagreement for imaging experiments that rely on 19F spin quantification at increasing depth within the mouse using surface RF coils.
A multicenter single‐arm objective performance criteria trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of a dedicated venous sinus thrombectomy device for severe cerebral venous sinus thrombosis
Authors: Yusuying Shadamu , Wu Yan , Li Ming , Duan Jiangang , Chen Jian , Chen Yujiao , Zhou Chen , Bian Hetao , Li Chuanhui , Wu Chuanjie , Meng Ran , Ji Xunming 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAimApproximately 21% of patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) are refractory to anticoagulation treatment and face poor prognosis. These patients may benefit from endovascular therapy. Although numerous studies have reported promising results with endovascular therapy, it remains challenging to obtain convincing evidence of its efficacy and safety due to the unique challenges posed by CVST, such as larger vessel diameters, distinct pathophysiology, and substantial clot burden. Therefore, dedicated endovascular therapy tools should be developed specifically for CVST. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a dedicated venous sinus thrombectomy device in patients with acute or subacute CVST.MethodsThis prospective, multicenter, single‐arm trial utilized an objective performance criterion design. Enrolled patients received treatment with a dedicated venous sinus thrombectomy device to recanalize occluded sinuses or veins. The primary objective was to compare the immediate postoperative recanalization rate with a preset target value to determine whether the device met the clinical application needs. The trial plans to enroll 146 patients from 11 tertiary medical centers in China.DiscussionThis trial is expected to fill a critical gap in endovascular treatments for CVST and support the development of reliable, dedicated thrombectomy devices for future studies.
Liver enzyme and risk of vascular dementia: A univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization of European descent
Authors: Chen Jieyu , Chen Jianzhun , Liang Chunyu , Liu Chenxi , Jie Liu , Liu Bin , Yang Xinglong 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundObservational studies have indicated a link between liver enzymes and dementia, but the causal relationship remains uncertain. We conducted a two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to investigate potential causal links between liver function markers (alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], and γ‐glutamyltransferase [GGT]) and various forms of dementia (all‐cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease [AD], vascular dementia [VaD], and frontotemporal dementia [FTD]).MethodsGenome‐wide association study (GWAS) data of liver enzyme levels with 517 single nucleotide polymorphisms from 315,572 individuals of European descent were considered as exposures. Additional GWAS data on dementia from the FinnGen consortium and the UK Biobank were used as outcomes. The causal relationship was evaluated using univariable MR (UVMR) and multivariable MR (MVMR) methods. UVMR approaches such as inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR‐Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode were used, with IVW as primary. MVMR techniques, such as extended versions of IVW, MR‐Egger, and Q‐minimization methods, were used to assess causal effects. The robustness of the MR analysis findings was verified through heterogeneity, horizontal pleiotropy, and leave‐one‐out analyses.ResultsMVMR analysis demonstrated that a genetically determined one standard deviation rise in blood GGT levels was associated with an increased risk of VaD (IVW: odds ratio = 1.007, 95% confidence interval = 1.002–1.011, p = 0.010). These findings remained consistent after adjusting for confounding variables in MVMR analysis. Sensitivity analyses further supported the causal relationship. However, no significant links were observed between ALT, AST, ALP, and all‐cause dementia, VaD, AD, or FTD.ConclusionsOur study suggests clinical implications, demonstrating that high blood GGT concentrations are potential causal risk factors for VaD in European populations. Further research is needed to uncover the underlying biological mechanisms between GGT and VaD and validate the clinical relevance of early prevention and intervention strategies.